Champions One Day Cup: Markhors Overpower Panthers with a -Run Victory
In a thrilling match of the Champions One Day Cup at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, the Markhors showed their strength by beating the Panthers by 160 runs. The game was packed with excitement as the Markhors set a tough target and then took apart the Panthers’ batting line-up with skill.
Markhors Set a Towering Target
The Markhors won the toss & chose to bat first. They scored an impressive total of 347/6 in their 50 overs. Kamran Ghulam was the star of the innings, smashing 115 runs off 102 balls. Ghulam hit three sixes and 12 fours, showing off his aggressive style and great talent. Together with captain Mohammad Rizwan, who added 45 runs, they helped steady the innings after an early hiccup.
Ghulam’s century was boosted by a quick boost from Abdul Samad, who made 62 runs in only 39 balls. Samad teamed up well with Iftikhar Ahmed, who ended not out on 57. They helped the Markhors reach a strong score. The last few overs were exciting too – they scored 87 runs in just 39 balls, which helped them set such a big target.
Panthers’ Struggle and Disintegration
Facing a target of 348 runs, the Panthers had a tough job right from the start. The Markhors’ bowlers, especially Naseem Shah, took early wickets. Naseem’s firecracker bowling removed opener Abdul Bangalzai for just four runs, followed by Saim Ayub for 20 runs. These early wickets changed everything.
The Panthers kept struggling
Azan Awais got run out for one run, and other key players Usman Khan & Haider Ali didn’t score much either. By the time Haider was out, five wickets had fallen for just 41 runs in 8.3 overs! With captain Shadab Khan also going out for only four runs, things looked bleak for them.
Amad Butt and Mubasir Khan tried to get things back on track with a partnership of 59 runs. But it didn’t help much; Mubasir got out after scoring 33 runs, and even though Amad Butt fought hard with 72 runs off 84 balls, it wasn’t enough to avoid a heavy loss. Eventually, the Panthers were all out for 187 runs in just 33.4 overs.
Key Performances and Turning Points
The turning point of this match was really the strong batting from the Markhors & their bowlers striking early blows. Kamran Ghulam’s aggressive play laid down a great base for success, while Naseem Shah’s sharp bowling ripped apart the top order of the Panthers. The partnership between Abdul Samad and Iftikhar Ahmed made sure that Markhors set an unreachable target.
For the Panthers, both Mohammad Hasnain & Mubasir Khan took two wickets each, which was notable but not enough to stop the powerful performance from the Markhors.
The significant win of 160 runs by the Markhors over the Panthers in this opening match of the Champions One-Day Cup showcased their well-rounded skills in batting and bowling. As Kamran Ghulam hit his century alongside Naseem Shah’s disciplined bowling attack, they kicked off their tournament on an excellent note. This game will surely be remembered for its skillful play and smart tactics as teams move forward in this competition.
