Stallions secured their second consecutive victory in the Champions T20 Cup, defeating Lions by 12 runs in an enthralling match at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This win propelled them to the top of the points table, showcasing a balanced performance with both bat and ball.
Sent in to bat, Stallions posted a competitive total of 162-5, courtesy of a resilient, unbeaten 51 off 36 balls by Hussain Talat. Coming off a maiden T20 hundred in their victory over Panthers, Talat once again anchored the innings, forming a crucial 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket with veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik. Malik, the match’s standout performer, contributed a brisk 39 off 30 balls, studded with four boundaries.
Earlier, Maaz Sadaqat laid a solid foundation with an elegant 32 off 29 balls, while Mohammad Haris injected momentum with a lively 25 off 18, including the innings’ only six. Lions’ pacer Musa Khan impressed with figures of 2-31, but the Stallions’ deep batting lineup ensured a defendable total.
Chasing 163, Lions stumbled early, losing Zeeshan Malik for a duck in the first over. However, Imam-ul-Haq (43 off 28) and Hasan Nawaz (30 off 25) revived their hopes with a solid 71-run stand. The partnership featured stylish strokes, with Imam hitting four boundaries and a six.
The middle order faltered, as quick dismissals of Rohail Nazir and Muhammad Awais Zafar for just three runs each left Lions in a precarious position. The onus then fell on Khushdil Shah (28 off 22) and Aamer Yamin (27* off 24) to chase 66 off the last 43 deliveries. Despite their efforts, a tight penultimate over from Mohammad Ali, conceding just four runs, tilted the match firmly in Stallions’ favor.
Zaman Khan, known for his death-over prowess, sealed the win, conceding just nine runs in the final over. The Lions finished on 150-7, falling 12 runs short of the target.
Shoaib Malik starred with the ball as well, taking 2-23 alongside Usman Tariq (2-23) and Zaman Khan (2-38), ensuring Lions’ chase never gained full momentum.
With this win, Stallions lead the standings with two victories in as many matches. Lions, yet to register a win, sit at the bottom. Panthers have a win and a loss, while Markhors and Engro Dolphins have played fewer games, with one win and one loss respectively.
Brief Scores:
Stallions 162-5 in 20 overs (Hussain Talat 51*, Shoaib Malik 39, Maaz Sadaqat 32, Mohammad Haris 25; Musa Khan 2-31)
Lions 150-7 in 20 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 43, Hasan Nawaz 30, Khushdil Shah 28, Aamer Yamin 27*; Shoaib Malik 2-23, Usman Tariq 2-23, Zaman Khan 2-38)
Player of the Match: Shoaib Malik (Stallions).
Leave a Reply