Saim, Mubasir shine as Panthers thrash Stallion by 20 runs
Cricket
Azan Awais made fifty while Usman Khan scored hurricane 75
FAISALABAD (Dunya News) – Panthers on Saturday secured 20-run win against Stallions in ninth match of the Champions One-Day Cup at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad.
In pursuit of 345-run target, Stallions collapsed at 324 despite fiery knocks from Tayyab Tahir, Hussain Talat and tail-ender Zaman Khan.
After top three batters were sent packing in early blows to stallions, Tahir and Talat stitched a 157-run partnership to put their side closer to victory.
After their dismissal, Zaman Khan showed aggressive batting as he made 42 off 16 balls by holding his nerves. However Ammad Butt crushed the hopes of Stalliosn by removing Khan.
Earlier, a display of strong batting performance by Saim Ayub helped Panthers set a huge target of 345 runs for Stallions. After opting to bat first, Panthers’ opening pair Saim Ayub and Azan Awais took flying off as they stitched a partnership of 138 runs.
After Awais was removed, Usman Khan maintained the momentum with hurricane 75 off 47. After Zaman Khan sent Usman packing, Mubashir Khan joined Ayub but he was removed for 18.
However, Saim Ayub got on Stallions’ nerves with 156 runs till 46th over when he was caught out on Zaman Khan’s delivery. At this point, Panthers lost three quick wickets of Haider Ali, Amad Butt and Arafat Minhas.
Zaman Khan claimed four-wicket haul while Jahandad took one wicket.
A day earlier, Muhammad Irfan Khan’s quickfire century proved to be the difference between Lions and Markhors as the former registered a 35-run win in the eighth match of the tournament. In pursuit of 368-run target, the Markhors managed 332-9 in 50 overs.
This was Markhors’ first loss in the tournament while the Lions bagged much needed first win keeping their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive with the crucial game against the Dolphins set to be played on 22 September.
