Panthers Crowned Champions of Inaugural Champions One-Day Cup

The  Panthers claimed victory in the final of the  Champions One-Day Cup by defeating the Markhors by five wickets at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Sunday evening. The Shadab Khan-led Panthers bowled out the Markhors for a paltry 122 runs in 33.4 overs and chased down the target in just 18 overs to lift the trophy.

The Panthers, as the tournament winners, secured PKR30 million from the total prize pot of PKR49 million, while the runners-up Markhors collected PKR15 million.

After choosing to bat first, the Markhors struggled to find any rhythm, with Arafat Minhas producing an exceptional bowling display, taking 3-1 in just three overs. Mohammad Hasnain, who ended the tournament as the leading wicket-taker with 17 wickets, contributed with 3-38, and Sajid Khan delivered a crucial player of the match performance, picking up 2-24. Markhors went from a promising position at 82-2 in 18.2 overs to a disappointing 122 all out.

Fakhar Zaman top-scored for the Markhors with 46 off 49 balls, hitting five boundaries and a six. He stitched a 56-run third-wicket partnership with Haseebullah (27 off 48 balls), but once Sajid Khan dismissed both batters, the Markhors collapsed, losing their last eight wickets for just 40 runs. Apart from Fakhar and Haseebullah, only Bismillah Khan (16) reached double figures.

In their chase, the Panthers started briskly, with Abdul Wahid Bangalzai scoring 41 off 43 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes. Though the Panthers lost a few quick wickets in the middle, being reduced from 51-1 to 94-5, the lower-order held their nerve. Rizwan Mehmood (16* off 12 balls) and captain Shadab Khan (14* off 9 balls), who hit the winning six, guided the Panthers to 123-5 and secured the title.

For the Markhors, Mohammad Imran Jnr and Akif Javed each took two wickets, while Shahnawaz Dahani chipped in with one.

Scores in Brief:

Final –  Panthers beat Markhors by five wickets

• Markhors: 122 all out in 33.4 overs
  (Fakhar Zaman 46, Haseebullah 27; Arafat Minhas 3-1, Mohammad Hasnain 3-38, Sajid Khan 2-24, Ali Raza 1-19, Shadab Khan 1-20)
• Panthers: 123-5 in 18 overs
  (Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 41, Umar Siddiq 19, Rizwan Mehmood 16, Sajid Khan 15, Shadab Khan 14*; Mohammad Imran Jnr 2-11, Akif Javed 2-42)*

Awards:

• Player of the Match: Sajid Khan (Panthers)
• Mentors’ Choice Emerging Player of the Tournament: Ali Raza (Panthers)
• Wicket-keeper of the Tournament: Usman Khan (Panthers) – 7 dismissals
• Energy Energetic Batter of the Tournament: Usman Khan (Panthers) – 272 runs
• Best Bowler of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain (Panthers) – 17 wickets
• Player of the Tournament: Mohammad Hasnain (Panthers)