Stallions Seal Final Spot with Commanding Six-Wicket Win Over Dolphins

Mohammad Haris delivered a captain’s innings, smashing an unbeaten 52 off 30 balls, while pacer Mohammad Ali ripped through the opposition with figures of 4-15 to propel Stallions to a decisive six-wicket victory over Dolphins on the final day of the Champions T20 Cup double-league games at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The win secured Stallions a berth in the final, as they finished tied on 12 points with  Markhors but advanced due to a superior net run rate. Markhors, earlier in the day, registered a six-wicket win over Panthers to secure their spot in the Qualifier against Lions on Monday.

Dolphins Collapse to 131 Under Ali’s Onslaught

After being sent in to bat, Dolphins struggled against the relentless pace of Mohammad Ali (4-15) and the guile of Hussain Talat (3-16). Their innings folded for a paltry 131 in 20 overs.

Qasim Akram top-scored with a fighting 40 off 34 balls, including two sixes and as many boundaries, while skipper Faheem Ashraf contributed 26 off 23 balls. A late cameo from Abbas Afridi (21 off 11, three sixes) helped push the total past 130.

Haris and Openers Dominate the Chase

In reply, Stallions’ openers Yasir Khan (32 off 26) and Maaz Sadaqat (28 off 15) gave their side an explosive start, adding 58 runs in just 5.4 overs. Skipper Mohammad Haris then took control with a commanding half-century, hitting eight boundaries and a six to guide his team home in just 14 overs.

Markhors Dominate Panthers to Set Up Qualifier Clash

In the earlier match, Markhors comfortably chased down Panthers’ total of 155 with six wickets and 39 balls to spare.

For Panthers, Umar Siddiq (41 off 34), Arafat Minhas (34 off 24), and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (24 off 25) ensured a respectable total. However, Mohammad Imran Jnr’s 3-35 kept them in check.

Markhors’ chase was headlined by Muhammad Imran, whose blistering 69 not out off 34 balls included five sixes and six boundaries. His 81-run partnership with Fakhar Zaman (49 off 28) all but sealed the game, before Abdul Samad finished in style with a nine-ball 34, hammering five sixes.

Tournament Standings and Road Ahead

• Finalists: Stallions (12 points, superior NRR)
• Qualifier: Markhors (12 points) vs Lions (10 points)
• Eliminated: City Panthers (6 points) and Dolphins (0 points).

Scores in Brief

Match 19 – Markhors beat Panthers by six wickets
Panthers 155-6, 20 overs: Umar Siddiq 41, Arafat Minhas 34, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 24; Mohammad Imran Jnr 3-35
Markhors 160-4, 13.3 overs: Muhammad Imran 69*, Fakhar Zaman 49, Abdul Samad 34*; Mohammad Ibtisam 2-41
Player of the Match: Muhammad Imran (Markhors)

Match 20 – Stallions beat Dolphins by six wickets
Dolphins 131 all out, 20 overs: Qasim Akram 40, Faheem Ashraf 26, Abbas Afridi 21; Mohammad Ali 4-15, Hussain Talat 3-16
Stallions 133-4, 14 overs: Mohammad Haris 52*, Yasir Khan 32, Maaz Sadaqat 28; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 2-29
Player of the Match: Mohammad Ali (Stallions)