- Panthers clinch Champions One-Day Cup title after defeating Markhors by five wickets.
- The match took place at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium.
- Markhors won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings faltered quickly.
The Shadab Khan-led Panthers secured a convincing five-wicket victory over the Markhors to claim the inaugural Champions One-Day Cup title at Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium.
After restricting the Markhors to a modest total of 122, the Panthers chased down the target in just 18 overs. Despite a few setbacks during the chase, Panthers managed to stay in control, thanks to key contributions from several players.
Earlier in the match, the Markhors won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings faltered quickly. Zain Abbas was the first to go, caught by Umar Siddiq off Mohammad Hasnain’s bowling for 6 runs. Fakhar Zaman provided a brief resistance with a well-played 46 off 49 balls, hitting five fours and a six, before being caught by Rizwan Mehmood off Sajid Khan.
Kamran Ghulam fell cheaply for just 2 runs, trapped lbw by Ali Raza, leaving the Markhors struggling at 26/2. Middle-order batsmen Haseebullah Khan (27) and Bismillah Khan (16) tried to rebuild the innings but were dismissed before stabilizing the team’s total.
Skipper Iftikhar Ahmed managed only 3 runs before falling to Hasnain, and Abdul Samad was dismissed for a duck. The lower order offered minimal resistance, with Zahid Mahmood remaining not out on 7, while Akif Javed hit 8 off 8 balls before the tail collapsed. Hasnain and Arafat Minhas both claimed three wickets, with Sajid Khan picking up two.
In response, the Panthers encountered some challenges but chased down the target comfortably. Umar Siddiq made a steady start with 19 off 21 balls before being bowled by Shahnawaz Dahani. His partner Abdul Bangalzai contributed 41 off 43 balls, including five boundaries and two sixes, before falling to Mohammad Imran.
Sajid Khan added 15 runs, but he was trapped lbw by Akif Javed. Usman Khan chipped in with 13 off 8 balls before being dismissed by Akif Javed. Rizwan Mehmood, who remained unbeaten on 16 off 12 balls, played a crucial role in ensuring the Panthers’ victory alongside skipper Shadab Khan, who finished the match with 14 off 9 balls, including a boundary and a six.
The Panthers crossed the target with 12 balls to spare, securing their triumph in the first edition of the Champions One-Day Cup.
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