RAWALPINDI: Skipper Haider Ali scored an unbeaten half-century in the run chase and powered Panthers to a comfortable six-wicket victory over Markhors in the 10th match of the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Put into bat first, Markhors managed to accumulate 163/8 in the allotted 20 overs, courtesy of a defiant half-century by lower-order batter Saad Masood.
Coming out to bat at number eight with his side reeling at 64/6 in 10.5 overs, Masood launched an astounding recovery with a gutsy half-century.
The right-handed batter top-scored for Markhors with an unbeaten 63 off 39 deliveries, laced with eight boundaries including two sixes.
Saad was briefly supported by Nisar Ahmad, who played a brisk 21-run cameo from just 10 deliveries.
Usama Mir was the standout bowler for Panthers, picking up two wickets for just 14 runs in his four overs, while Amad Butt, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Danish Aziz made one scalp apiece.
In response, Panthers comfortably knocked the winning runs for the loss of just four wickets and seven balls to spare.
Leading the way was their captain Haider, who top-scored with an unbeaten 62 off just 29 deliveries, studded with four fours and five sixes.
Haider was supported by emerging all-rounder Mubasir Khan, who scored a handy 32 off 21 balls with the help of two fours and as many sixes, while openers Umar Siddiq (30) and Sharjeel Khan (23) also made notable contributions.
For his match-winning knock, Haider Ali was adjudged the player of the match.
Mohammad Imran Jnr led the bowling charge for Markhors with two wickets, while Akif Javed and Masood shared two wickets between them.
Despite the six-wicket victory, Panthers remained fourth in the Champions T20 Cup standings with four points in four matches, while Markhors held on to their second position with six points in as many matches.
- Haider Ali
