FAISALABAD (WS News) – Saim Ayub and Mohammad Hasnain helped Panthers reach final of the Champions One-Day Cup after clinching a dominating seven-wicket win over Markhors at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Tuesday.
Panthers achieved the target of 138 runs in 24th over as Usman Khan from middle order smashed unbeaten fifty to seal the crucial victory for his side.
From top order, Saim Ayub made 33 runs while Umar Siddiq scored 35.
Earlier, a five-wicket haul by part timer Saim Ayub helped Panthers to restrict Markhors from posting a big total in first qualifier of the tournament.
Mohammad Rizwan-led side was bowled out for just 137 in 36 overs as no player except the middle order batsmen Salman Ali Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed could show impressive performance.
Agha and Iftikhar stitched a partnership of 77 runs in a bid to recover the team from pressure. However, their removal also left tail enders helpless as they were removed in quick sessions.
Mohammad Hasnain took three wickets while Ali Raza claimed one scalp.
The losing team will take on the winner of the Wednesday’s eliminator on 27 September in eliminator 2.
Eliminator 1, to be played on Wednesday 25 September, will be contested between Stallions and Nurpur Lions. The four teams, Markhors, Panthers, Stallions and Lions, finished first, second, third and fourth on the points table, respectively after the 10-match single league round from 12 to 22 September at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. Dolphins, finished at the fifth and last position, after managing to win only one match out of four outings in the tournament.
Markhors and Panthers won three out of four league round matches each. The Stallions won two and lost two while the Lions lost three of their league round games and came out triumphant in one.
