Zahid Mahmood’s five-fer powers Markhors to thumping victory over Stallions

FAISALABAD: Zahid Mahmood claimed 5-18, while Salman Ali Agha took three wickets to lead Markhors to a thumping 126-run victory against Stallions in the fourth match of the Champions One-Day Cup here at Iqbal Stadium on Sunday.

Stallions got off to a shaky start while chasing 232 as Naseem Shah removed both openers inside ten overs.

However, Babar Azam kept Stallions in the hunt with his elegant batting display, scoring 45 runs from 44 balls with the help of eight boundaries.

Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha dismissed Tayyab Tahir (5) in the 15th over with 79 runs on the board.

Mohammad Rizwan introduced Zahid Mahmood in the next over and the decision proved fruitful as the leg-spinner removed Babar Azam off the first ball.

With the scoreboard reading 79-4 and the pitch offering some assistance to the spinners, Markhors capitalized by taking wickets at regular intervals.

Stallions’ batters failed to pose any threat to the spin attack of Zahid Mahmood and Salman Ali Agha as they bundled out for a meagre 105 runs in 23.4 overs.

Except for Shan Masood (19) and Babar Azam, no other batter managed to reach the double figures.

Zahid Mahmood took the final wicket of Abrar Ahmed to complete his five-wicket haul, while Salman Ali Agha and Naseem Shah managed three and two wickets respectively.

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Earlier, Markhors had a similar start to their innings after opting to bat first as they found themselves struggling at 38-3 in 8.3 overs.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha helped Markhors make a comeback with a 56-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

However, Mehran Mumtaz removed Rizwan, who was playing at 33, to halt Markhors’ progress.

Salman Ali Agha remained firm and stitched a 65-run stand with Iftikhar Ahmed, completing his half-century in the process. He fell prey to Jahandad Khan right after reaching the milestone.

Iftikhar Ahmed was joined by Abdul Samad, who played a blistering knock in the Champions Cup opener against the Panthers and started his innings in the same flow today.

Abdul Samad played a 35-ball knock of 37 runs, laced with five boundaries and one six, adding 62 runs for the sixth wicket before Mehran Mumtaz ended his entertaining knock.

Samad departed with the scoreboard reading 221-6, however, Markhors lost the next four wickets for only ten runs as they got bundled out for 231.

Iftikhar Ahmed was the top-scorer for Markhors with 60 runs from 66 balls, featuring eight boundaries.

Jahandad Khan led the bowling attack for Stallions with the figures of 4-49, while Mehran Mumtaz claimed three wickets.

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