Champions Cup: Markhor mount comeback to defeat Stallions

FAISALABAD: Markhor easily defeated the Stallions on Sunday by 126 runs in the Champions One-day Cup after a precarious first inning at Iqbal Stadium.

Batting first has proved a dominant strategy in the Champions cup so far, with Markhor captain Mohammad Rizwan hoping to continue the streak. The team got off to a rocky start, losing three wickets before reaching 40 runs, but clawed their way out of an embarrassing first innings after three fantastic partnerships.

Rizwan and Agha Salman scored 56 to begin the comeback. Iftikhar Ahmed joined Salman following Rizwan’s dismal, leading to a game high partnership of 65. An equally impressive 62 were scored by Abdul Samad and Ahmed. However, Markhor soon found themselves in deep waters again, as their lower-middle order was quickly dealt with, courtesy of Jahandad Khan and Mehran Mumtaz who took four and three wickets respectfully.

A tough task had been set for Markhor as they attempted to defend a 231 run total. The Stallions looked promising early on, capitalizing on the momentum they gained at the end of the first inning, as they sat comfortably at 79 for 2.

Saleema Imtiaz makes history as Pakistan’s first female umpire on ICC panel

However, Zahid Mahmood rose to the challenge, taking five wickets and ending Babar Azam’s innings before he was able to make half a century. The Stallions collapsed, only making 26 runs in their last eight wickets.

While Markhor looked precarious early on, a strong showing from Zahid Mahmood led to another dominant victory.

TEAMS

Markhors: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Faizan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Salman Agha Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Zahid Mahomood, Naseem Shah, Akif Javed, Shahnawaz Dahani

Stallions: Yasir Khan, Shan Masood, Babar Azam, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Haris (Captain), Hussain Talat, Jahandad Khan, Mehran Mumtaz, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali