Mohammad Rizwan‘s Markhors defeated Shadab Khan’s Panthers at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Thursday, September 12, in the Champions One-Day Cup 2024 opener.
After a good start, Mohammad Faizan and Fakhar Zaman struggled in the first innings. Kamran Ghulam, who batted at No. 3, scored 115 off 102 balls with 12 fours and three sixes to give Markhors a good foundation. In the 34th over, Mohammad Hasnain dismissed Rizwan after he scored 45 off 57 balls. This followed the wicketkeeper-batter’s 133-run partnership with Ghulam.
Shadab Khan was the sixth Panthers batter dismissed after 10 overs at 52/6. Butt’s 72 off 84 balls .
Ghulam was dismissed in the 44th over, leaving Markhors with 260 runs. They hoped for a strong finish in the death overs, and Iftikhar Ahmed (57* off 44 balls) and Abdul Samad (62 off 25 balls) put up an unbelievable 87 runs off 39 balls. Markhors recorded a strong 347/6 in 50 overs.
Panthers’ top bowler was right-arm off-spinner Mubasir Khan, who took 2/36 in nine overs. Pacer Amad Butt and leg-spinner Usama Mir conceded 89 and 83 runs from their entire overs. While Samad was wicketless, the former took his one wicket.
Fast bowlers Naseem Shah and others harass Panthers.
In response, Saim Ayub started well but Abdul Bangalzai left in the third over. The latter was Naseem Shah’s first of three victims. Right-arm speedster defeated Usman Khan and Haider Ali, while Akif Javed dismissed Ayub for 15 balls. Runout of No. 3 batter Azan Awais hurt Panthers. Mubasir’s 33 off 31 deliveries helped Panthers avoid Pakistan’s worst List A loss.
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Panthers were knocked out for 187 in 34.5 overs by Naseem and Akif, who both took three wickets. Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood also took wickets. Markhors triumphed by 160 runs to start their campaign well.