A thrilling Super Sunday in the T20 Champions Cup saw Mohammad Haris and Mohammad Ali orchestrate a convincing six-wicket win for Stallions against Panthers, while Abdul Samad’s last-ball six powered Markhors to a nail-biting three-wicket victory over Lions.
The wins reshaped the standings as Lions maintained their top spot in the five-team table despite the loss, while Markhors held firm in second, delivering a pulsating showcase of cricket that delighted a packed Rawalpindi crowd.
Haris Stars in Stallions’ Chase After Ali’s Fiery Bowling
Put into bat, Panthers were guided to 168-7 by Haider Ali, who anchored the innings with a blistering 49-ball 73. Haider’s innings, laced with five towering sixes and as many boundaries, stood out as he formed crucial partnerships—61 with Umar Siddiq (30 off 29) for the second wicket and 63 with Mubasir Khan (30 off 23) for the fourth.
Stallions’ bowlers, led by pacer Mohammad Ali, kept the total within reach. Ali’s 4-28 dismantled the top and lower-middle order, while Mohammad Amir Khan chipped in with 2-34.
The chase started with a bang as openers Yasir Khan (20 off 13) and Maaz Sadaqat (18 off 14) added 28 in just 3.1 overs. Haris then took charge, smashing eight boundaries in his 35-ball 61. Alongside Hussain Talat (32 off 25), he stitched a pivotal 64-run stand off 42 deliveries.
Veteran Shoaib Malik (21) and Mohammad Mohsin (15) finished the job with two balls to spare.
Player of the Match: Mohammad Haris
Samad’s Last-Ball Six Seals Markhors’ Victory
The second match of the day was a rollercoaster, with Markhors edging out Lions in a last-ball thriller. Lions, opting to bat first, piled up 187-7 with Aamer Yamin’s unbeaten 39 off 27 lifting the team after early breakthroughs. Openers Imam-ul-Haq (28 off 17) and Hasan Nawaz (24 off 13) had given a flying start of 56 in just 4.2 overs, while skipper Rohail Nazir (22 off 17) and Shahzaib Khan (16 off 13) chipped in.
Pacers Nisar Ahmed (2-40) and Akif Javed (2-47) kept Lions in check, but it was Aamer’s late surge that added 57 runs in the last five overs.
In response, Markhors found themselves under pressure at 37-2 before Mohammad Faizan (66 off 42) and Iftikhar Ahmed (66 off 31) turned the game around. Their 88-run partnership ignited the chase, with Iftikhar smashing eight sixes and two boundaries.
Lions clawed back as Shahid Aziz’s four-wicket burst (4-42) brought them within reach of victory. With 11 required off the final over, Shahid removed Faizan and Mohammad Nawaz (8 off 3) to create a tense finish. Abdul Samad, however, held his nerve to hit a six off the final delivery, clinching the game in dramatic fashion.
Player of the Match: Iftikhar Ahmed
Scores in Brief
Stallions beat Panthers by six wickets
Panthers: 168-7 in 20 overs (Haider Ali 73, Umar Siddiq 30; Mohammad Ali 4-28, Mohammad Amir Khan 2-34)
Stallions: 170-4 in 19.4 overs (Mohammad Haris 61, Hussain Talat 32; Usama Mir 2-30)
Markhors beat Lions by three wickets
Lions: 187-7 in 20 overs (Aamer Yamin 39*, Imam-ul-Haq 28, Hasan Nawaz 24; Nisar Ahmed 2-40, Akif Javed 2-47)
Markhors: 189-7 in 20 overs (Iftikhar Ahmed 66, Mohammad Faizan 66; Shahid Aziz 4-42)
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