In the opening match of the Champions One-Day Cup, the Markhors set a formidable target of 348 runs for the Panthers at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, thanks to a stellar performance by Kamran Ghulam and Abdul Samad.
Key Performances:
- Kamran Ghulam: The right-handed batter scored 115 runs off 102 balls, marking his seventh List A century. Ghulam’s innings included three sixes and 12 fours, and he played a crucial role in setting up a strong foundation for the Markhors. He partnered with captain Mohammad Rizwan to forge a 133-run stand for the third wicket. Ghulam was eventually dismissed by Mohammad Hasnain.
- Abdul Samad: Samad contributed a rapid 62 runs off just 25 balls. His explosive batting, which included several boundaries, helped push the Markhors’ score to 347/6 in their 50 overs.
- Mohammad Rizwan: The captain made a steady 45 off 57 balls, including three sixes, before being dismissed by Mohammad Hasnain. Rizwan played a supportive role to Ghulam, anchoring one end while Ghulam dominated the attack.
- Iftikhar Ahmed: Iftikhar provided valuable support towards the end of the innings, scoring an unbeaten 57 off 44 balls. His partnership with Abdul Samad, which added 87 runs in just 39 balls, was crucial for the Markhors’ final push.
Bowling Figures for Panthers:
- Mohammad Hasnain: Took 2 wickets, including the crucial dismissals of Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan.
- Mubasir Khan: Also claimed 2 wickets, including Salman Ali Agha.
- Mohammad Zeeshan and Amad Butt: Each took 1 wicket.
Playing XIs:
- 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
- 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
With this challenging target, the Panthers will need a strong batting performance to chase down 348 runs and secure a win in this high-stakes match.
