FAISALABAD: Half-centuries by Mubasir Khan and Haider Ali, backed-up by skipper Shadab Khan’s all-round show helped Panthers beat Lions by 84 runs for their second victory in three matches of the Champions One-Day Cup here at the Iqbal Stadium here on Monday.

Mubasir scored 90 and Haider contributed 84 as the two batters stitched a 144-run fifth-wicket partnership to lift Panthers from 51-4 to 283 all out in 46.5 overs.

Shadab’s contribution in the total was a 29-ball cameo for 37 before the former Pakistan vice-captain went on to take three wickets for 42 runs as the Lions were skittled out for 199 in 35.2 overs, leaving the side winless after two matches.

Mubasir hit 10 fours and three sixes in his 97-ball innings, while Haider’s 99-ball knock included five fours and three sixes. Haider is now the leading run-getter in the tournament with 149 runs. The two had joined hands after Saim Ayub (10), Azan Awais (1), Umar Siddiq (0) and Usman Khan (11) were back in the hut to leave Panthers tottering.

After Mubasir missed out on a well-deserved century, Haider put on 67 runs for the sixth wicket with Shadab, whose knock was laced with five fours. After the partnership ended at the score of 262 with the fall of Haider, Panthers lost their way and were bowled out for 283 in 46.5 overs.

For Lions, Ahmed Daniyal and Shaheen Shah Afridi took three wickets apiece, conceding 47 and 57 runs respectively, while Aamer Yamin and Sirajuddin took two wickets each.

In turn, Lions slipped to 44-3 before Imam-ul-Haq (60 off 62, five fours and two sixes) and Mohammad Irfan Khan (35) repaired the damage by adding 83 runs for the fourth wicket. But when Shadab broke the stand by dismissing Imam at the score of 127, Lions were sent spinning out for 199 in 35.2 overs.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir also snapped up 3-55. Mohammad Has­nain took 2-28.

Scores in brief:

PANTHERS 283 in 46.5 overs (Mubasir Khan 90, Haider Ali 84, Shadab Khan 37; Ahmed Daniyal 3-47, Shaheen Shah Afridi 3-57, Aamer Yamin 2-33, Sirajuddin 2-49); LIONS 199 in 35.2 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 60, Muhammad Irfan Khan 35, Khushdil Shah 22, Omair Bin Yousuf 20; Shadab Khan 3-42, Usama Mir 3-55, Mohammad Hasnain 2-28).

Published in Dawn, September 17th, 2024