Champions One-Day Cup 2024: Rizwan-led Markhors decimate Shadab's Panthers in inaugural tie

The first match of the Champions One-Day Cup 2024 turned out to be a one-sided affair as Mohammad Rizwan-led Markhors annihilated Shadab Khan's Panthers at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Thursday, September 12.

Fakhar Zaman couldn't get going in the first innings, while fellow opener Mohammad Faizan couldn't capitalise despite a solid start. However, Kamran Ghulam, who came out to bat at No. 3, scored a brilliant 115 off 102 balls, hitting 12 fours and three sixes to give Markhors a solid platform. Rizwan played well for his 45 off 57 balls before Mohammad Hasnain ended his stay at the crease in the 34th over. This was after the wicketkeeper-batter had forged a 133-run partnership along with Ghulam.

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When Ghulam was dismissed in the 44th over, Markhors had 260 runs on the board. They would have hoped for a strong finish in the death overs and it came in the form of a scintillating 87-run partnership which came off just 39 balls between Iftikhar Ahmed (57* off 44 balls) and Abdul Samad (62 off 25 balls). Markhors eventually finished with a formidable total of 347/6 in their 50 overs.

Right-arm off-spinner Mubasir Khan was the pick of the bowlers for Panthers as he finished with figures of 2/36 in nine overs. Meanwhile, pacer Amad Butt and leg-spinner Usama Mir conceded 89 and 83 runs, respectively, from their full quota of overs. The former picked up the solitary wicket of Samad, while the latter remained wicketless.

Naseem Shah and fellow pacers torment Panthers

In reply, Saim Ayub got off to a flying start but the other opener, Abdul Bangalzai departed in the third over. The latter became the first of the three victims of Naseem Shah. The right-arm speedster also accounted for the wickets of Usman Khan and Haider Ali, while Akif Javed dismissed Ayub for a 15-ball 20.

No. 3 batter Azan Awais was run out and it didn't help Panthers' cause. Shadab was the sixth Panthers batter to be dismissed, with the score at 52/6 after 10 overs. Butt played a gutsy knock of 72 off 84 balls, while Mubasir made 33 off 31 deliveries as Panthers avoided the danger of suffering the heaviest defeat in Pakistan's List A history.

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In the end, Panthers were bowled out for 187 in 34.5 overs as Naseem and Akif picked up three wickets each. Shahnawaz Dahani also bagged a couple of wickets, while Zahid Mahmood chipped in with a wicket. Markhors eventually won the match by 160 runs to get their campaign off to a rollicking start.