The Panthers secured a commanding five-wicket victory over the Markhors in the final match of the inaugural Champions One-Day Cup at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Sunday.
Chasing a target of 123 runs, the Panthers completed the task in just 18 overs. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai set the tone for the innings with an explosive 41 runs, hitting five fours and two sixes. Although his opening partner, Umar Siddiq, was dismissed early for 19, Bangalzai’s strong start laid a solid foundation. Sajid Khan and Usman Khan contributed 15 and 13 runs, respectively. Shadab Khan then came to the crease and finished the match with an unbeaten 14 runs off 9 balls, sealing the victory for his team.
Earlier in the match, the Panthers showcased a stellar bowling performance that restricted the Markhors to a mere 122 runs, bowled out in the 33rd over. Mohammad Hasnain, Arafat Minhas, and Sajid Khan led the charge with the ball, each making significant contributions to dismantle the Markhors’ batting lineup. Fakhar Zaman was the standout performer for the Markhors, scoring 46 runs, but he lacked support as most of his teammates fell cheaply, with many failing to reach double figures.
Hasnain and Arafat each took three wickets, while Sajid Khan claimed two, effectively preventing the Markhors from building any momentum.
Prior to the match, Markhors’ captain Iftikhar Ahmed expressed confidence in his team’s ability to perform well in the final, citing players who could win matches single-handedly. In contrast, Panthers’ captain Shadab Khan noted that his team was in high spirits and aimed to replicate their strong performances from the previous matches in the final showdown.
