Panthers secured their second win in three matches in the Champions One-Day Cup after defeating Lions by 84 runs on Monday at Iqbal Stadium. The Panthers were powered by half-centuries from Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali, and a brilliant all-round performance from Player of the Match, Shadab Khan.
Batting first in front of PCB cameras, the Panthers found themselves in trouble at 51-4 early in their innings. However, a match-changing 144-run fifth-wicket partnership between Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali rescued the team and propelled them to a total of 283 all-out in 46.5 overs.
Mubasir played a pivotal role, scoring 90 off 97 balls, hitting 10 fours and three sixes. Haider Ali also contributed significantly with 84 runs from 99 deliveries, including five boundaries and three sixes. Haider’s knock brought his tournament tally to 149 runs, making him the leading run-scorer so far.
After Mubasir’s dismissal, Haider continued to build with Shadab Khan, adding 67 runs for the sixth wicket. Shadab’s quickfire 37 from 29 balls, laced with five boundaries, helped the Panthers cross the 280-mark. However, the Panthers collapsed after Haider’s departure, losing their last four wickets for just 21 runs.
For the Lions, Ahmed Daniyal and Shaheen Shah Afridi were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each for 47 and 57 runs, respectively. Aamer Yamin and Sirajuddin chipped in with two wickets apiece.
In response, the Nurpur Lions stumbled early, slipping to 44-3. A promising fourth-wicket partnership of 83 runs between Imam-ul-Haq and Muhammad Irfan Khan offered some hope. Imam played a solid knock of 60 off 62 balls, smashing five boundaries and two sixes, while Irfan contributed 35 runs.
However, Shadab Khan broke the stand by dismissing Imam at the score of 127, triggering another collapse for the Lions. Shadab finished with figures of 3-42, while leg-spinner Usama Mir also picked up three wickets for 55 runs. Mohammad Hasnain was equally impressive with the ball, claiming 2-28 to top the bowlers’ chart with nine wickets in the tournament.
The Lions’ middle and lower order could not withstand the pressure, eventually folding for 199 in 35.2 overs, leaving them winless after two matches.
Shadab Khan’s all-round brilliance, with 37 runs and 3-42, earned him the Player of the Match award. On the batting front, Mubasir and Haider’s steady partnership was crucial in building a winning total for the Panthers.
The Panthers’ victory sees them in strong form as the tournament progresses, while the Lions continue to search for their first win.
After a rest day on Tuesday, action will resume on Wednesday, 18 September, with a match between Dolphins and UMT Markhors at the Iqbal Stadium. The undefeated Markhors will be looking to extend their winning streak, while Dolphins aim to secure their first victory.
Scores in brief:
Panthers beat Nurpur Lions by 84 runs
Panthers: 283 all-out in 46.5 overs (Mubasir Khan 90, Haider Ali 84, Shadab Khan 37; Ahmed Daniyal 3-47, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-57, Aamer Yamin 2-33, Sirajuddin 2-49)
Lions: 199 all-out in 35.2 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 60, Muhammad Irfan Khan 35, Khushdil Shah 22, Omair Bin Yousuf 20; Shadab Khan 3-42, Usama Mir 3-55, Mohammad Hasnain 2-28)
Player of the Match: Shadab Khan (Panthers)
Next Fixture (18 September): Dolphins vs Markhors, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, at 9:30 AM (local time).
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