RAWALPINDI: The bowling attack led by pacer Mohammad Ali led the Stallions to defeat leaders Markhors by 29 runs in the 17th match of the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Placed first, the Stallions could only score 147/9 in their allotted 20 overs as none of their batsmen could register a big score against a disciplined Markhors bowling attack.
Veteran all-rounder and mentor Shoaib Malik continued to be the Stallions’ top scorer with a cagey 27 off 28 deliveries, laced with three boundaries.
Apart from him, opener Maaz Sadaqat and middle-order batsman Taimur Khan made notable contributions, scoring 20 each.
For the Markhors, Zahid Mehmood, Akif Javed and Bilawal Bhatti claimed two wickets each while captain Iftikhar Ahmed took a scalp.
Chasing a modest total, Markhors’ batting unit reached a meager 118 in 18.3 overs despite a 57-run seventh-wicket partnership between Nisar Ahmad and Saad Masood.
The leaders made a disastrous start to the chase as they were reduced to 37/7 in eight overs courtesy of Jahandad Khan’s sensational opening spell.
The left-arm pacer dismissed three Markhors batsmen, while Ali and spinner Usman Tariq supported with two hits each.
After the crisis, Nisar and Saad fought valiantly and formed a crucial partnership to keep Markhors in the hunt.
The pair took the Markhors to 94/7 in 15 overs, but both died in successive overs, reducing the total to 107/9 in 16.1 overs.
Saad continued to be the top scorer with 38 off 29, while Nisar hit 22 off 21 balls.
Ali then claimed the Markhors’ remaining wicket by getting Zahid caught behind in the penultimate over to cap a gratifying victory for the Stallions.
The right-hand pacer led the Stallions’ bowling attack with 4/13, followed by Jahandad’s 3/9, while Usman Tariq took two wickets.
The 29-run victory helped Stallions replace Markhors at the top of the Champions T20 Cup standings. Both teams have 10 points after seven matches.
