The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup began with thrilling action at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. UMT Markhors and ABL Stallions started their campaigns with impressive wins, showcasing exceptional talent on the opening day of the tournament. Local hero Saad Masood and seasoned international Hussain Talat were the standout performers, earning Player of the Match honors for their respective teams.
UMT Markhors Edge Past Nurpur Lions
In the first match, UMT Markhors secured a hard-fought four-wicket victory over Nurpur Lions. However The Lions set a target of 150-7 in their 20 overs, thanks to a steady 40 not out by Mohammad Awais Zafar and a quick 22 by Hasan Nawaz. UMT’s bowling attack, led by Saad Masood (2-20), Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (2-11), and Nisar Ahmed (2-21), restricted the Lions from building a bigger score.
Chasing 151, the Markhors started strong with opener Fakhar Zaman scoring 28 off 25 balls. However, the Lions fought back with Mohammad Salman’s 3-21 and Shahid Aziz’s 2-27, causing trouble for the Markhors’ batting lineup. Captain Iftikhar Ahmed steadied the innings with an unbeaten 42 off 34 balls, sharing a crucial 50-run stand with Saad Masood, who contributed an unbeaten 26. Their efforts led the team to victory in the 19th over.
Read: Australia Tightens Grip on India in Adelaide Test
Hussain Talat’s Century Powers ABL Stallions
In the second match, ABL Stallions dominated Lake City Panthers with a 35-run win. Batting first, the Stallions posted a massive 216-3, led by Hussain Talat’s breathtaking unbeaten 101 off 50 balls. Talat’s innings included 12 boundaries and three sixes. He was ably supported by Mohammad Haris, who scored 55 in a blistering 128-run partnership for the third wicket. Yasir Khan provided a quick start with 27 off 15 balls.
In reply, Lake City Panthers faced an early setback as skipper Shadab Khan couldn’t bat due to a back injury. Despite this, Haider Ali played a brilliant knock, scoring 54 off 26 balls, supported by Mubasir Khan (29 off 19). The duo seemed to put the Panthers on track, but spinner Usman Tariq (3-25) turned the game by dismissing Haider Ali. Pacer Mohammad Ali also took 3-33, ensuring the Panthers were bowled out for 181 in 19.1 overs.
Highlights of Day One
- Saad Masood’s All-Round Performance: The 19-year-old local boy played a key role in UMT Markhors’ victory with his bowling and a vital partnership in the chase.
- Hussain Talat’s Maiden T20 Century: The experienced all-rounder’s sensational innings lit up the second match, setting the tone for the tournament.
Tomorrow’s Match
The action continues with Lake City Panthers facing Engro Dolphins at 12 PM at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Fans can look forward to more thrilling performances as the tournament gains momentum.
Follow us on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,Whats App, and TikTokfor latest updates
