RAWALPINDI: Left-handed opener Umar Siddiq scored an unbeaten half-century to lead the Panthers to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over the Dolphins in the third match of the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday.
Put in to bat first, the Dolphins could post 160/8 in their allotted 20 overs as none of their batsmen managed to score a big knock.
The Panthers had a dismal start to their innings as they were 35/3 at the end of the batting powerplay.
Opening batsman Mohammad Huraira was then joined by Mohammad Suleman as the duo began their comeback.
The duo could add 40 runs amid an anchoring fourth-wicket stand, which ended with Huraira’s dismissal in the 12th over.
Huraira remained the Dolphins’ leading run-scorer with a cagey 37 off 32 deliveries, with four boundaries and a six.
Suleman was then involved in another crucial partnership for the Dolphins when he added 30 runs for the fifth wicket with Mohammad Ghazi Ghori.
Suleman made 34 off 27 deliveries, hitting one four and two sixes.
Meanwhile, Ghori carried his bat to the final after playing a key role in bolstering the Dolphins’ total with a cameo of 27 off just 16 deliveries.
Amad Butt was the pick of the Panthers’ bowlers, taking three wickets, followed by Mohammad Ibtisam with two scalps.
In response, the Panthers comfortably won the winning runs, losing just two wickets and 24 balls to spare, thanks to Umar’s quickfire half-century.
The opening batsman top-scored for the Panthers with an unbeaten 78 off 53 deliveries, studded with eight fours and two sixes.
The winning strike earned him the player of the match award.
He was supported by captain Haider Ali who scored 46 off 28 balls with the help of five fours and two sixes.
For Dolphins, Salman Irshad took two wickets.
