MARKHORS Set the Big Total in First Match of Champions Cup | 1st Match
The excitement kicked off today as MARKHORS set the big total in the first match of Champions Cup against the Panthers at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. It was a thrilling display of power-hitting, smart batting, and some standout performances from both sides.
Choosing to bat first, the Markhors posted an impressive total of 347-6 in 50 overs, setting a challenging target for the Panthers. Let’s dive into how the match unfolded and the key players who made an impact.
Batting Performance
Kamran Ghulam was the star of the show, scoring an outstanding 115 runs off 102 balls, which included 12 boundaries and 3 sixes. His century anchored the innings and set the platform for the big total.
Another explosive performance came from Muhammad Abdul Samad, who smashed a quickfire 62 off just 25 balls. His aggressive hitting in the final overs, with 4 fours and 6 sixes, took the score beyond the reach of the opposition.
Iftikhar Ahmed also played a handy knock, contributing 57 runs off 44 balls with 7 boundaries and 1 six. His partnership with Kamran Ghulam was crucial in building the momentum for the team.
Here’s a breakdown of the Markhors’ batting scorecard:
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | 17 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 58.62 |
| Muhammad Faizan | 34 | 37 | 6 | 0 | 91.89 |
| Kamran Ghulam | 115 | 102 | 12 | 3 | 112.75 |
| Mohammad Rizwan (C)(WK) | 45 | 57 | 0 | 3 | 78.95 |
| Agha Salman | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 20.00 |
| Iftikhar Ahmed | 57 | 44 | 7 | 1 | 129.55 |
| Muhammad Abdul Samad | 62 | 25 | 4 | 6 | 248.00 |
| Naseem Shah | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | 16 | ||||
| Total | 347-6 (50 overs) |
Bowling Performance
The Panthers’ bowlers tried their best, but the Markhors’ batting lineup was just too strong. However, some bowlers stood out with their efforts:
- Mohammad Hasnain was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 61 runs in his 10 overs.
- Mubasir Khan also made an impact, grabbing 2 wickets for 36 runs in his 9 overs.
Here’s a detailed bowling scorecard of the Panthers:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohammad Hasnain | 10.0 | 1 | 61 | 2 | 6.10 |
| Amad Butt | 10.0 | 0 | 89 | 1 | 8.90 |
| Mubasir Khan | 9.0 | 0 | 36 | 2 | 4.00 |
| Mohammad Zeeshan | 6.0 | 0 | 41 | 1 | 6.83 |
| Usama Mir | 10.0 | 0 | 83 | 0 | 8.30 |
| Shadab Khan | 5.0 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 7.00 |
Fall of Wickets
- Fakhar Zaman was the first to go at 38-1 in the 9th over.
- Muhammad Faizan fell next at 64-2 in the 13th over.
- Mohammad Rizwan departed after a steady innings at 197-3 in the 33rd over.
- Agha Salman followed soon after, leaving Markhors at 198-4 in the 34th over.
- Kamran Ghulam’s excellent knock ended at 260-5 in the 43rd over.
- Muhammad Abdul Samad was the final wicket to fall at 347-6, just before the end of the innings.
Key Highlights
- Kamran Ghulam’s century set the foundation for the Markhors’ massive total.
- Muhammad Abdul Samad’s explosive 62 helped push the score well beyond 300.
- Mohammad Hasnain’s 2 wickets were the highlight of the Panthers’ bowling effort.
Conclusion
With a total of 347-6, the Markhors set a big total in the first match of the Champions Cup. Now, it’s up to the Panthers to chase down this massive score. Will they be able to do it? Stay tuned to the Champions Cup for more exciting cricket action!