The Panthers triumphed over the Markhors by five wickets in the final of the Champions One-Day Cup, capturing the inaugural title at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Sunday. Led by captain Shadab Khan, the Panthers comfortably chased down a target of 123 runs in just 18 overs, following a dominant bowling performance that saw them dismiss the Markhors for a mere 122 runs in 33.4 overs.
Winning the toss, the Markhors opted to bat first but quickly found themselves in trouble. The opening batsman, Zain Abbas, was dismissed early, caught by Umar Siddiq off the bowling of Mohammad Hasnain for just 6 runs from 8 balls. Fakhar Zaman briefly ignited hope for the Markhors, scoring 46 runs off 49 balls, including five boundaries and a six, before being dismissed by Sajid Khan, caught by Rizwan Mehmood.
The innings continued to unravel for the Markhors as Kamran Ghulam fell for just 2 runs, leg-before-wicket to Ali Raza, leaving them at a precarious 26 for 2. Haseebullah Khan and Bismillah Khan tried to stabilize the innings, contributing 27 and 16 runs respectively, but both were dismissed before they could anchor the team effectively. Haseebullah was bowled by Sajid Khan, while Bismillah was caught by Abdul Bangalzai off Arafat Minhas.
Captain Iftikhar Ahmed’s hopes of providing stability were dashed as he was out for just 3 runs, also leg-before to Hasnain. Abdul Samad failed to score, falling victim to Hasnain’s bowling. The lower order showed minimal resistance, with only Zahid Mahmood remaining not out on 7 and Akif Javed scoring 8 runs off 8 balls.
The Markhors’ innings ended with a whimper as the tail quickly fell apart, with Mohammad Imran and Shahnawaz Dahani both dismissed cheaply by Arafat Minhas. Hasnain and Minhas were the standout bowlers, each taking three wickets, while Sajid Khan claimed two.
In response, the Panthers faced a few hiccups but maintained control throughout their innings. Opener Umar Siddiq provided a steady start, scoring 19 runs off 21 balls before being bowled by Shahnawaz Dahani. His opening partner, Abdul Bangalzai, anchored the innings with a solid 41 runs off 43 balls, hitting five boundaries and two sixes before being caught by wicketkeeper Bismillah Khan off Mohammad Imran.
Sajid Khan contributed 15 runs from 13 balls but was trapped lbw by Akif Javed, while Usman Khan added a quick 13 runs off 8 balls before falling to the same bowler, caught by Zain Abbas. Despite losing Haider Ali for a duck, bowled by Mohammad Imran, Rizwan Mehmood played a crucial role, remaining unbeaten on 16 runs off 12 balls.
Skipper Shadab Khan brought the Panthers closer to victory, scoring 14 runs off 9 balls, which included a boundary and a six. The Panthers crossed the finish line with 12 balls to spare, ensuring a comfortable victory and claiming the first Champions One-Day Cup.
This victory not only showcases the Panthers’ strength and skill but also sets a promising tone for future tournaments. The team’s ability to perform under pressure, both with the bat and ball, bodes well for their future endeavors in domestic and international cricket. With Shadab Khan leading from the front, the Panthers look set to become a formidable force in upcoming competitions.