RAWALPINDI: Skipper Haider Ali scored an unbeaten half-century in the chase and propelled the Panthers to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Markhors in the 10th match of the T20 Champions Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Delivered first to bat, Markhors managed to amass 163/8 in the allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a defiant half-century from lower-order batsman Saad Masood.
Coming out to bat at No. 8 with his side reeling at 64/6 in 10.5 overs, Masood launched a stunning comeback with a gutsy half-century.
The right-handed batsman top-scored for Markhors with an unbeaten 63 off 39 deliveries, with eight boundaries including two sixes.
Saad was briefly supported by Nisar Ahmad, who made a 21-run cameo off just 10 deliveries.
Usama Mir was the Panthers’ standout bowler, taking two wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs, while Amad Butt, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Danish Aziz took a scalp each.
In response, the Panthers comfortably won the winning runs, losing just four wickets and seven balls remaining.
Leading the way was captain Haider, who top-scored with an unbeaten 62 from just 29 deliveries, studded with four fours and five sixes.
Haider was supported by emerging all-rounder Mubasir Khan, who scored 32 off 21 balls with the help of two fours and another six, while openers Umar Siddiq (30) and Sharjeel Khan (23) also made notable contributions.
For the winning knock, Haider Ali was named the best player of the match.
Mohammad Imran Jnr led the bowling attack for Markhors with two wickets while Akif Javed and Masood shared two wickets between them.
Despite the six-wicket win, the Panthers remained fourth in the Champions T20 Cup standings with four points from four matches, while Markhors maintained second position with six points from as many matches.
