FAISALABAD: Panthers secured a commanding 84-run victory over Lions in the fifth match of the Champions One-Day Cup at Iqbal Stadium on Monday. The win was largely attributed to the stellar performance of Shadab Khan, who not only contributed with the bat but also played a crucial role with the ball.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Panthers posted a total of 283 runs. Despite a rocky start, which saw them struggling at 31 for 3 in the fourth over, the team managed to recover thanks to a robust 144-run partnership between Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali.
Mubasir Khan was the cornerstone of the innings, scoring a well-constructed 90 runs off 97 balls, featuring 10 boundaries and 3 sixes. His innings was cut short by a catch off Sirajuddin, just 10 runs shy of a century. Haider Ali complemented his partner’s efforts with a solid 84 runs from 99 balls, which included 5 fours and 3 sixes. Haider was dismissed by Omair Yousuf off Ahmed Daniyal’s bowling.
Panthers’ captain, Shadab Khan, played a vital role with a brisk 37 runs off 29 balls before being trapped leg before wicket by Ahmed Daniyal. Lower-order contributions from Amad Butt (1 run) and Arafat Minhas (9 runs) ensured that Panthers reached a competitive total of 283, despite losing a flurry of wickets in the latter overs.
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Sirajuddin and Aamer Yamin were the standout bowlers for the Lions, picking up 2 wickets each, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Ahmed Daniyal also claimed three wickets apiece.
In response, Lions struggled against Panthers’ bowlers and were bowled out for 199 in 44.4 overs. The innings began poorly for Lions, with Sajjad Ali dismissed for a duck and Abdullah Shafique out for just 1 run, leaving them at a precarious 8 for 2 wickets.
Imam-ul-Haq provided a brief stabilizing force with a valuable 60 runs off 62 balls, including 5 boundaries and 2 sixes. However, he was dismissed by Shadab Khan. Omair Yousuf, who managed 20 runs off 17 balls, was run out by Mohammad Hasnain, adding to the Lions’ woes.
Irfan Khan and Khushdil Shah added some resistance with scores of 35 and 22 runs, respectively, but both were dismissed under pressure. Aamer Yamin scored a brisk 10 runs, and Shaheen Shah Afridi failed to contribute with the bat, getting out for a duck.
Ahmed Daniyal managed 16 runs, while Sirajuddin’s quick 19 runs from 13 balls was insufficient to alter the game’s course.
Panthers’ bowlers were exceptional, with Shadab Khan and Usama Mir leading the charge, each claiming 3 wickets. Shadab’s all-round performance was crucial, and his partnership with Mir ensured Lions’ innings fell short of the target.
