Kamran Ghulam, pacers steer Markhors to dominant win against Panthers

FAISALABAD: Kamran Ghulam’s century, followed by a dominant performance by the pacers helped Markhors thump Panthers by 160 runs in the opening match of the Champions One-Day Cup here on Thursday.

Shadab Khan-led Panthers bundled for a meagre 187 in 34.5 overs while chasing a mammoth 348.

They had a horrible start to their chase as Naseem Shah and Akif Javed’s new ball spell left them reeling at 52-6 in ten overs.

Mubasir Khan (33) and Ammad Butt showed resistance with a 59-run partnership for the seventh wicket before Akif struck again to remove the former.

Ammad added another 59 runs with Usama Mir (21) to push the total to 170 but Shahnawaz Dahani dismissed Mir to break the partnership in the 31st over.

Ammad, who top-scored for the Panthers with 72, got clean bowled by Zahid Mehmood before Dahani wrapped up the innings with the wicket of Mohammad Hasnain.

For the Markhors, Naseem and Akif both claimed three wickets, while Dahani grabbed two.

Panthers invited Markhors to bat first and they removed both openers in 13.2 overs with 64 runs on the board.

Kamran Ghulam and skipper Mohammad Rizwan then joined hands, constructing a solid 133-run stand for the third wicket.

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Ghulam attacked the Panthers’ bowlers with his aggressive strokeplay while Rizwan played an anchor role, scoring 45 runs from 57 balls before falling to Mohammad Hasnain.

Mubasir Khan removed new batter Salman Ali Agha in the next over, bringing Iftikhar Ahmed to the crease.

Kamran Ghulam added 63 runs for the fifth wicket with Iftikhar Ahmed before Amad Butt caught him off Hasnain to end his entertaining knock.

Ghulam scored the first century of the Champions One-Day Cup, finishing his innings with 115 runs from 102 balls, laced with twelve boundaries and three sixes.

Abdul Samad joined Iftikhar and turned the game on its head with his belligerent hitting, hitting 62 runs from 25 balls with the help of four boundaries and six sixes.

Meanwhile, Iftikhar returned with an unbeaten 57 off 44, featuring seven boundaries and one six as Markhors scored 347-6 in 50 overs.

For the Panthers, Mubasir Khan and Hasnain picked two wickets each, while Amad Butt and Mohammad Zeeshan bagged one each.

Playing XIs

Panthers: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Faizan, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Abdul Samad, Zahid Mahmood, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Akif Javed

Markhors: Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai, Azan Awais, Haider Ali, Shadab Khan (c), Mubasir Khan, Amad Butt, Mohammad Hasnain, Usama Mir, Mohammad Zeeshan

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