RAWALPINDI: Imam-ul-Haq’s anchoring half-century, followed by Sharoon Siraj’s three wickets, led Lions to a narrow eight-run victory over Panthers in the 16th match of the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Thursday.
Put into bat first, the Lions accumulated 160 runs before getting bowled out on the second delivery of the final over.
The Lions got off to a flying start, courtesy of a brilliant partnership between openers Imam and Hasan Nawaz.
The opening pair put together 85 runs inside eight overs until Hasan fell victim to Test spinner Sajid Khan.
The right-handed opener scored a quickfire 41 off 22 deliveries with the help of four fours and three sixes.
Imam was then involved in a brief partnership with wicketkeeper batter Rohail Nazir before eventually perishing in the 13th over with 120 runs on the board.
The skipper remained the top-scorer for the Lions with a 36-ball 57, laced with eight fours and a six.
His dismissal sparked a gruelling collapse, which saw the Lions losing their remaining seven wickets in the span of just 40 deliveries.
Usama Mir was the pick of the bowlers for the Panthers, taking four wickets for just 23 runs in his four overs, while Mohammad Wasim Jr bagged two.
In response, the Panthers could amass 152/6 in their allotted 20 overs despite Danish Aziz’s unbeaten 38.
Danish remained the joint top-scorer for the Panthers with opening batter Umar Siddiq, while the rest of the Panthers’ batters made meagre contributions.
Sharoon Siraj was the standout bowler for the Lions, returning economical bowling figures of 3/19 in his three overs, while Musa Khan, Khushdil Shah and Mohammad Taha made one scalp apiece.
The eight-run victory lifted the Lions to the second position in the Champions T20 Cup standings with four points in seven matches, while Panthers remained fourth with six points in as many matches.
- Imam-ul-haq
