Lions win toss, elect to bat first against Stallions in Champions Cup Eliminator

FAISALABAD: Lions have won the toss and elected to bat first against Stallions in the Eliminator of the Champions One-Day Cup here at Iqbal Stadium on Wednesday.

PLAYING XIs

Stallions: Mohammad Haris (c), Yasir Khan, Mohammad Mohsin, Hussain Talat, Tayyab Tahir, Adil Amin, Jahandad Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, Zaman Khan, Ubaid Shah, Haris Rauf.

Lions: Rohail Nazir, Imam-ul-Haq, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Taha, Sharoon Siraj, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Sirajuddin, Faisal Akram, Ahmed Daniyal, Aamer Yamin.

Both Lions and Stallions made major changes to their lineups as the players selected in Pakistan’s squad for the first Test against England, have been withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie.

“With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England,” said Gillespie.

“We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters,” he added.

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Meanwhile, in the Qualifier of the five-team tournament, Shadab Khan’s Panthers outclassed Mohammad Rizwan-led Markhors by seven wickets and qualified for the Champions One-Day Cup final.

Saim Ayub played a pivotal role in guiding his side to victory in the high-stakes clash by backing his five-wicket haul with an anchoring knock up the order in the run chase.

He was supported by wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan, who scored a quickfire half-century to steer the Panthers to a statement victory with 158 balls to spare.

READ: Stokes open to white-ball return ahead of Champions Trophy in Pakistan