Rajasthan seals last playoffs spot

MUMBAI, India, May 24 (AFP): England's Jofra Archer starred with bat and ball as Rajasthan Royals sealed the last play-off spot in the Indian Premier League with a 30-run win over Mumbai Indians on Sunday.
Archer struck a 15-ball 32 after being promoted to number seven in the batting order to lift Rajasthan to 205-8 from a precarious 119-5 at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium.
He then turned up in his primary role as a fast bowler, taking 3-17 as Mumbai finished on 175-9 despite Suryakumar Yadav's 60.
Former champions Rajasthan, who have been driven by strong performances including by their 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Soorayavanshi, knocked Punjab Kings from fourth place to complete the play-off line-up with 16 points.
Punjab ended the league stage with 14 points and needed Rajasthan to lose the game to prolong their season.
The result also ended Kolkata Knight Riders' slim chances.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad had already booked their play-off spots.
Bengaluru will face Gujarat in the first qualifier on Tuesday and the winner will reach the final to be played in Ahmedabad on May 31