Champions Cup: Shadab, Usama spin web to help Panthers sink Lions

FAISALABAD: Shadab Khan and Usama Mir took three wickets each after Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali’s half-centuries to steer Panthers to an 84-run victory over Lions during the Champions One-Day Cup here at Iqbal Stadium on Monday.

Panthers were booked for 283 in the first innings, however, they successfully defended the total as they bundled Lions for a meagre 199.

Mohammad Hasnain provided the first breakthrough, dismissing Sajjad Ali in the first over with seven runs on the board.

Ammad Butt removed Abdullah Shafique in the next over, while Omair Bin Yousuf scored a quick 20 before getting run out, leaving Lions reeling at 44-3.

Imam-ul-Haq showed resistance as he stitched an 83-run stand with Irfan Khan for the fourth wicket, pushing the total to 127.

He looked in good touch during his 62-ball innings of 60, which was laced with five boundaries and two sixes before Shadab Khan ended his stay at the crease.

Meanwhile, Usama Mir removed Irfan Khan, who scored a cautious 35 off 50 balls with two boundaries and one six.

Khushdil Shah played a 32-ball knock, scoring 22 runs, while wickets kept falling around him. He also fell prey to Shadab Khan.

Ahmed Daniyal (16) and Sirajuddin (19) then added a 32-run stand for the ninth wicket before falling in consecutive overs, ending Panthers innings at 199.

Usama Mir and Shadab Khan claimed three wickets each, while Mohammad Hasnain picked two.

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Earlier, Panthers found themselves in a precarious position as they lost four wickets inside the first ten overs with 51 runs on the board.

Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali then knitted a solid partnership of 144 runs for the fifth wicket, completing their half-centuries in the process.

However, Mubasir missed his well-deserved century as Aamir Yamin ended his stellar knock, courtesy of Sirajuddin’s catch.

He remained the top-scorer for Panthers with 90 off 97, which featured ten boundaries and three sixes.

Meanwhile, Haider continued his strokeplay, adding another 67 runs for the sixth wicket with captain Shadab Khan (37).

At 262-5, Panthers were in a position to post a big total, however, Ahmed Daniyal removed Haider and Shadab in the same over to bring Lions back into the match.

Haider departed after scoring 84 runs from 99 balls, laced with five boundaries and three sixes, while Shadab scored a 29-ball 37 with five boundaries.

Panthers failed to recover and lost their next three wickets for only 20 runs, bundling out for 283 in 46.5 overs.

Ahmed Daniyal and Shaheen Afridi took three wickets each for Lions, while Aamir Yamin and Sirajuddin bagged two each.

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