Faisalabad, 24 September 2024: The Lake City Panthers secured their place in the final of the Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup with a commanding seven-wicket victory over UMT Markhors in the Qualifier at Iqbal Stadium. The Panthers’ all-round performance, spearheaded by Saim Ayub’s maiden five-wicket haul and Usman Khan’s blistering half-century, made light work of a modest 138-run target.
The Panthers chased down the total in just 23.4 overs, qualifying for the final with a confident display. Meanwhile, the Markhors will have another shot at redemption in the second Qualifier on 27 September, where they face the winner of the first Eliminator.
Bowling Brilliance
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the Markhors struggled to gain momentum against an inspired Panthers bowling attack. Saim Ayub, who typically excels with the bat, delivered an unexpected and devastating spell with figures of 5-24 in six overs. It was his first five-wicket haul across all competitive formats, making it a career milestone.
Mohammad Hasnain was equally destructive, picking up 3-25 from his nine overs. His early breakthroughs shattered the Markhors’ top order, leaving them reeling at 25-4. He removed Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan in successive deliveries before dismissing the dangerous Fakhar Zaman in the seventh over.
A promising 77-run stand between Salman Ali Agha (52 off 81) and Iftikhar Ahmed (39 off 61) offered brief resistance for the Markhors. However, after Iftikhar’s run out, the collapse resumed, and the team lost their last five wickets for just 27 runs, folding for 137 in 36 overs.
Panthers’ Run-Chase
In response, the Panthers’ top order built solid partnerships that quickly put them in control. Saim Ayub contributed with the bat as well, scoring 33 off 36 balls, including six boundaries. His partnership of 50 runs for the second wicket with Umar Siddiq (35 off 52) ensured a smooth run-chase.
However, it was Usman Khan’s aggressive 54 off just 26 balls, featuring five fours and four towering sixes, that sealed the deal for the Panthers. His blitz not only guided his team to victory but also earned him the title of the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 259 runs.
The Markhors’ bowlers, despite early promise, struggled to contain the Panthers’ onslaught. Akif Javed, Salman Ali Agha, and Zahid Mehmood claimed a wicket each, but their efforts fell short in defending a below-par total.
Looking Ahead
Saim Ayub’s all-round performance earned him the Player of the Match award. The Panthers will now wait for the outcome of the second Qualifier to see who they will face in the final. Meanwhile, the Markhors have one last chance to secure their spot in the final when they play the winner of the Allied Bank Stallions vs Nurpur Lions clash in the first Eliminator.
Scores in briefQualifier – Lake City Panthers beat UMT Markhors by seven wickets
UMT Markhors: 137 all out, 36 overs (Salman Ali Agha 52, Iftikhar Ahmed 39; Saim Ayub 5-24, Mohammad Hasnain 3-25, Ali Raza 1-29)
Lake City Panthers: 143-3, 23.4 overs (Usman Khan 54 not out, Umar Siddiq 35, Saim Ayub 33; Akif Javed 1-20, Salman Ali Agha 1-24)
Player of the Match: Saim Ayub (Lake City Panthers)
Next Fixture: Eliminator 1 – Allied Bank Stallions vs Nurpur Lions, 25 September, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad (3:00 PM local time).
