Babar Azam made history on Thursday evening by smashing his 30th List-A century, becoming the first Pakistan batter to achieve this milestone, as the Stallions defeated the Dolphins by a massive 174 runs at the Iqbal Stadium. This victory secured the Stallions a place in the playoff stage alongside Markhors and Panthers, while the Dolphins suffered their third consecutive defeat.
After winning the toss, the Stallions opted to bat first, setting a competitive target of 272 runs. Babar played a sensational innings, remaining unbeaten on 104 runs off 100 balls, which included seven fours and three sixes. His record century was capped with a boundary on the penultimate ball of the innings, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
The Stallions began strongly with an opening partnership of 76 runs between Shan Masood (34 off 36 balls) and Yasir Khan (46 off 58 balls). The duo laid a solid foundation before falling in quick succession. Babar then combined with Tayyab Tahir for a 57-run third-wicket partnership, before Tayyab fell for 33 runs. Husaain Talat contributed a valuable 23 runs, sharing a 46-run partnership with Babar for the fifth wicket.
The Stallions finished their innings at 271 for 7 in 50 overs, with all six Dolphins bowlers picking up one wicket each.
In reply, the Engro Dolphins crumbled under pressure, being bowled out for a mere 97 runs in just 25 overs. Jahandad Khan and Mehran Mumtaz were the standout bowlers for the Stallions, each claiming three wickets for 18 and 14 runs, respectively. The Dolphins struggled from the outset, with Jahandad’s early burst reducing them to 40 for 3.
Abrar Ahmed also contributed to the Dolphins’ demise, taking 2 wickets for 15 runs, while Haris Rauf bagged 2 for 28. Sahibzada Farhan was the only bright spot for the Dolphins, scoring 32 runs off 36 balls, as the team faced a swift collapse.
The Stallions’ convincing win not only highlighted Babar’s exceptional talent but also reinforced their status as serious contenders in the tournament.
Scores in Brief:
- Stallions: 271-7 in 50 overs (Babar Azam 104*, Yasir Khan 46, Shan Masood 34, Tayyab Tahir 33)
- Dolphins: 97 all out in 25 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 32, Asif Ali 21)
- Player of the Match: Babar Azam (Stallions)
Upcoming Fixture: Lions vs Markhors, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad at 3 PM (local time) on September 21.
Leave a Reply