RAWALPINDI: Fast bowler Shahid Aziz took four wickets while skipper Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz played solid knocks to lead Lions to an eight-wicket win over Panthers in the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
Chasing a modest 124-run target, the Lions crossed the line in 14.3 overs for the loss of two wickets after they were set up by Shahid’s potent 4-20 which restricted the Panthers to 123 all out in 19.2 overs.
Imam-ul-Haq and Hasan Nawaz set up the win with a confident 79-run opening stand in 9.1 overs. Hasan hit three sixes and four boundaries in his fiery 31-ball 44 while Imam’s 38-ball 45 had five hits to the rope.
Pakistan U19 batter Shahzaib Khan chipped in with a 17-ball 28 not out, cracking two sixes and a four.
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With the win, the Lions opened their account in the Champions T20 Cup after losing their first two games. Panthers have now lost two and won one in their three outings.
Sent into bat, Panthers lost opener Sharjeel Khan for five before Umar Siddiq, who scored a 28-ball 26 with two sixes and as many fours, added 45 for the second wicket with Haider Ali (26).
Shahid Aziz, Khushdil Shah (2-26) and Musa Khan (2-32) triggered a middle-order collapse which saw Panthers slumping from 62-1 to 99-6.
It was Danish Aziz who rescued Panthers to a respectable total with a solid 27-ball 34 which were studded with four boundaries and a six.
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