Rawalpindi: Markhors’ Khawaja Mohammad Nafay displayed brilliant batting skills to help his team edge past Dolphins by two wickets on the fourth day of the ongoing Champions T20 Cup.
Opening batter Khawaja Mohammad Nafay smashed a spectacular 41-ball 68. His innings included four sixes and four boundaries. This crucial knock guided the Markhors to chase down the modest 129-run target in 18.5 overs.
Despite an early setback, Nafay stood firm. The team lost Fakhar Zaman (0), Muhammad Shahzad (11), and Abdul Samad (1) quickly. However, Nafay’s partnership of 29 runs with skipper Iftikhar Ahmed (5) stabilized the innings.
Spinner Qasim Akram dismissed Nafay leg-before, creating hope for Dolphins. The pressure mounted further as two more wickets fell. But Mohammad Nawaz calmly scored 19 runs off 18 balls, including two boundaries, ensuring the chase was completed. Akif Javed struck the winning boundary.
Markhors Climb to Second Place
With this win, the Misbah-ul-Haq-mentored Markhors now stand second on the points table with four points. They share the same points as Stallions, who top the table due to a superior net run rate.
Sameen Gul’s Early Strikes Give Dolphins Hope
Fast bowler Sameen Gul gave Dolphins an ideal start. He claimed three early wickets, dismissing Markhors’ top order. However, other bowlers failed to capitalize on this momentum. The Markhors’ batting depth outshined Dolphins’ efforts.
Dolphins’ Struggles with the Bat
Earlier, Dolphins struggled with the bat after being sent in to bat. Opener Sahibzada Farhan departed without scoring in the first over. Muhammad Akhlaq top-scored with a 33-ball 40, featuring two sixes and three boundaries.
Mirza Tahir Baig contributed 29 off 28 balls, hitting two sixes and a four. However, the team collapsed after reaching 81-2. Vice-captain Qasim Akram managed just 14 runs, while experienced batter Umar Amin fell for 11. Dolphins ended at 128-9 in their 20 overs.
Nawaz and Javed Shine with the Ball
Markhors’ bowlers, led by Mohammad Nawaz, dominated the Dolphins’ innings. Nawaz picked up three wickets for 28 runs. Young pacer Akif Javed also impressed with figures of 2-33, ensuring Dolphins couldn’t post a challenging total.
Dolphins’ Hopes Dwindle
With this defeat, Dolphins have now lost both their matches in the tournament. Their chances of advancing in the Champions T20 Cup are dwindling rapidly.
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