Saim, bowlers propel Panthers to thump Stallions in Champions Cup

FAISALABAD: Tayyab Tahir’s anchoring century failed to trump Saim Ayub’s marathon 156-run knock as Panthers edged Stallions by 20 runs in the ninth match of the Champions One-Day Cup here at Iqbal Stadium on Saturday.

The narrow victory lifted Panthers to replace Stallions at the second in the Champions One-Day Cup standings with 34 points in four matches, closely followed by the Stallions with 28 points in as many matches.

Chasing a daunting 345-run target, the Dolphins managed 324 all out despite a fighting fourth-wicket partnership between Tahir and Hussain Talat.

The Stallions ran into trouble within the first seven overs as they lost three wickets including star batter Babar Azam (5) with just 37 runs on the board.

Following the early debacle, Talat and Tahir launched an astounding recovery with their 157-run partnership, during which both scored half-centuries.

The duo had pulled Stallions out of trouble but the mounting required run rate took a toll on Talat, who fell victim to Mubasir Khan in the 35th over.

He remained a notable run-getter for the Stallions with a gutsy 63 off 72 balls, hitting three boundaries and a six.

Tahir was then involved in a brief fifth-wicket partnership with Adil Amin before finally perishing in the 41st over, minutes after amassing his century.

He remained the top-scorer for the Stallions with 109 off 120 deliveries, laced up with a dozen boundaries including four sixes.

The Stallions then lost wickets at regular intervals and even a quickfire cameo by Zaman Khan could not steer them to victory as they fell just 20 runs short.

Zaman smashed one four and six sixes on his way to a 16-ball 42.

Mubasir Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the Dolphins, taking three wickets, while Ali Raza and Mohammad Hasnain claimed two each. Amad Butt and Arafat Minhas shared two wickets between them.

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Stand-in Panthers’ captain Ayub’s decision to bat first after winning the coin toss bore fruits as his side piled up a massive total on the board.

The Panthers had a dream start to their innings as Ayub and Azan Awais registered an anchoring 138-run stand, which saw both of them scoring half-centuries.

The openers batted half of the allotted overs and their monumental stand was finally broken on the fourth delivery of the sixth over by Abrar Ahmed, who got rid of Awais.

The opening batter scored a cautious 51 off 77 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and a six.

Wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan then joined Ayub in the middle and they partnered strongly to bolster the Panthers’ total with a brisk 106-run stand, conceding just 79 balls.

Usman, who was the core aggressor of the game-changing stand, had an agonizing end to his blistering knock as he was stumped off Zaman Khan just 25 away from his well-deserved century.

He smashed eight fours and two sixes amid his 47-ball knock.

Saim Ayub then put on one-sided partnerships with Mubasir Khan (18) and Haider Ali (8) before finally perishing in the 46th over.

He remained the top-scorer for the Panthers with a magnificent 156 off just 130 balls, laced up with 20 boundaries including seven sixes.

Following his departure, the Panthers lost wickets at an alarming rate and the lower-middle order made modest contributions at the backend.

Zaman Khan was the standout bowler for the Stallions as he picked up four wickets while Jahandad Khan and Abrar Ahmed shared two wickets between them.

It is worth mentioning here that the last group-stage fixture of the Champions One-Day Cup between Dolphins and Lions will be played at the same venue on Sunday.

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