FAISALABAD: Markhors triumphed over Stallions by 126 runs in the fourth match of the Champions One-Day Cup at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium on Sunday. The decisive victory was anchored by a stellar bowling performance from Zahid Mahmood and a crucial partnership between Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed.
Opting to bat first, the Markhors struggled to build a substantial total, eventually being dismissed for 231 runs. Despite a few solid contributions, the innings lacked cohesion.
Mohammad Faizan fell early, caught behind for just 2 runs, while Fakhar Zaman managed 20 runs before being dismissed by Jahandad Khan. Kamran Ghulam added a quick 11 runs before being dismissed by Abrar Ahmed.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan fought valiantly with 33 runs off 39 balls, but his dismissal left the Markhors in a precarious position. The innings saw a brief revival through Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed. Agha anchored the innings with a steady 51 runs off 72 balls, while Iftikhar Ahmed played an aggressive knock of 60 runs off 66 balls. Their partnership offered hope for a bigger total but was curtailed when Iftikhar was dismissed by Mehran Mumtaz.
Abdul Samad’s quick 37 off 35 balls added some late momentum, but the lower order faltered, with Zahid Mahmood run out without scoring and Naseem Shah falling for a duck. Shahnawaz Dahani’s innings ended at 4 runs, and the Markhors were all out with their final total at 231.
READ ALSO: BJP’s Efforts to Undermine Muslim Identity in Jammu and Kashmir
Chasing 232 runs, the Stallions’ batting lineup was dismantled by the Markhors’ bowlers. Zahid Mahmood led the charge with a five-wicket haul, finishing with impressive figures of 5/27. His outstanding performance, combined with tight bowling, saw the Stallions bowled out for a mere 105 runs.
Shan Masood and Yasir Khan opened the innings but failed to provide a solid foundation. The top order crumbled under pressure, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris unable to make significant impacts.
Haris was out for 7 runs, while Babar Azam was dismissed for just 6 runs. Hussain Talat, who was one of the few to offer resistance, was out for 20 runs.
Jahandad Khan, who had previously excelled with the ball, managed to score 14 runs but was not enough to salvage the innings. The rest of the batting lineup fell quickly, and the Stallions were all out for 105 runs, well short of the target.
Match Highlights
Zahid Mahmood’s five-wicket haul was pivotal in dismissing the Stallions for 105 runs.
Iftikhar Ahmed’s aggressive 60 off 66 provided the Markhors with a crucial boost in their innings.
Salman Agha’s steady 51 off 72 runs anchored the Markhors’ middle order.
Playing XIs
Markhors: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Faizan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (c) (wk), Salman Agha, Abdul Samad, Zahid Mahmood, Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shahnawaz Dahani
Stallions: Shan Masood, Yasir Khan, Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Haris (c) (wk), Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali
