In the third game of the Champions One-Day Cup, the Panthers secured a comprehensive 50-run victory over the Dolphins on Saturday at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
Chasing a challenging target of 329, the Dolphins got off to a steady start with openers Mohammad Huraira (39 off 30 balls, 3x4s, 3x6s) and Sahibzada Farhan (52 off 69 balls, 4x4s, 1×6) putting on a 68-run partnership. However, Shadab Khan dismissed Huraira in the 13th over, and from there, the innings began to unravel.
Usama Mir took crucial wickets in the 20th and 22nd overs, dismissing Muhammad Akhlaq and Sahibzada Farhan, respectively, triggering a collapse that saw the Dolphins slip from 109-1 to 166-5.
Mohammad Hasnain struck key blows, removing Saud Shakeel and Asif Ali, but Qasim Akram (65 off 62 balls, 8x4s, 1×6) and Faheem Ashraf (41 off 35 balls, 4x4s, 1×6) counter-attacked with a 78-run sixth-wicket stand. However, Hasnain returned to castle Qasim in the 42nd over, and the right-arm pacer then dismissed Mohammad Abbas Afridi and Faheem Ashraf to complete his third List-A five-wicket haul.
The Dolphins were eventually bowled out for 278 in 47 overs, falling 50 runs short. Mohammad Hasnain finished with figures of 5-74, while Usama Mir and Mubasir Khan claimed two wickets each, and Shadab Khan picked up one.
Earlier, the Panthers were powered to 328 by Usman Khan’s maiden List-A century, supported by brisk fifties from Haider Ali and Shadab Khan. Usman’s composed 111 off 110 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and three sixes, anchored the Panthers’ innings after a shaky start.
Usman rebuilt the innings from 19-2 with a crucial 70-run third-wicket stand with Umar Siddiq (30 off 39 balls, 2x4s, 1×6). Despite losing Umar and Mubasir Khan (11) by the 22nd over and being reduced to 105-4, Usman found a reliable partner in Haider Ali, who smashed 63 off 46 balls (5x4s, 3x6s) in a 103-run fifth-wicket partnership.
Skipper Shadab Khan, batting at number seven, contributed a quickfire 65 off 45 balls, with five boundaries and two sixes, ensuring the Panthers crossed the 300-run mark. A late 13-ball cameo from Usama Mir (22) helped the team reach 328 before being bowled out in 49.4 overs.
For the Dolphins, Usman Qadir impressed with figures of 3-63, while Mir Hamza (2-50) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (2-68) picked up two wickets each.
Scores in Brief:
Panthers: 328 all out in 49.4 overs (Usman Khan 111, Shadab Khan 65, Haider Ali 63, Umar Siddiq 30; Usman Qadir 3-63, Mir Hamza 2-50, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-68)
Dolphins: 278 all out in 47 overs (Qasim Akram 65, Sahibzada Farhan 52, Faheem Ashraf 41, Mohammad Huraira 39, Saud Shakeel 24; Mohammad Hasnain 5-74, Usama Mir 2-48, Mubasir Khan 2-58)
Result: Panthers won by 50 runs.
Player of the Match: Mohammad Hasnain (Panthers)
Next Fixture: Markhors vs Stallions, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, at 3pm (local time).
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