Maaz Sadaqat’s 82-run effort went in vain as Markhors claimed a thrilling three-run victory over the Stallions in the Champions T20 Cup clash at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
After being asked to bat first, Markhors posted a total of 170/6 in his allotted 20 overs.
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Khawaja Nafay gave their team a solid start with an opening stand of 74 runs.
However, Fakhar’s struggle with the bat continued as he was dismissed for 39 off 32 balls by Usman Tariq.
Nafay followed soon after, scoring 36 from 30 balls, with Sadaqat taking the wicket to leave Markhors at 86/2 in the 11th over.
Skipper Iftikhar Ahmed’s poor form persisted and he was dismissed for just five runs in the 14th over by Mohammad Haris.
The pressure mounted when Sarwar Afridi (21) and Abdul Samad (0) fell in quick succession in the 17th over, reducing Markhors to 131/5.
Shahzad contributed 28 runs before being caught by Usman Tariq, leaving Markhors at 146/6 with just a few overs remaining.
However, Mohammad Nawaz made a much-needed cameo, hitting 28 runs off just 13 balls to take the total to 170.
The Stallions’ bowling attack, led by Usman Tariq and Tahir Hussain, took two wickets each in their respective spells, while Maaz Sadaqat took one.
The Stallions began their chase on a sour note when Yasir Khan was dismissed for 17 in the third over.
However, captain Haris and Sadaqat formed a stable partnership, putting together 59 runs for the second wicket.
Haris was dismissed for 22 by Sarwar Afridi, leaving Stallions at 87/2 in 9.5 overs.
Sadaqat took charge, scoring a brilliant 82 runs off 53 balls, which included 10 boundaries and two sixes.
He formed a crucial 47-run partnership with Shoaib Malik for the third wicket. However, his innings was ended by Nisar Ahmed in the 16th over, leaving Stallions at 134/3.
Malik followed soon after for 16 off 21 balls, and the wickets continued to fall as the Stallions were eventually restricted to 167/6, falling short of the target.
Markhors’ bowlers, led by Nisar Ahmed, were exceptional in defending the target. Nisar claimed 3/23 in his spell, while Akif Javed, Imran Jr. and Sarwar Afridi each picked up a wicket.
Nisar’s effort to win the match by bowling earned him the Man of the Match award.
