RAWALPINDI: Test pacer Mohammad Ali-led bowling attack steered Stallions to thump leaders Markhors by 29 runs in the 17th match of the Champions T20 Cup here at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Put into bat first, the Stallions only managed to score 147/9 in their allotted 20 overs as none of their batters could register a big score against a disciplined Markhors’ bowling attack.
Veteran all-rounder and mentor Shoaib Malik remained the top-scorer for the Stallions with a cautious 27 off 28 deliveries, laced with three boundaries.
Besides him, opener Maaz Sadaqat and middle-order batter Taimur Khan made notable contributions, scoring 20 each.
For the Markhors, Zahid Mehmood, Akif Javed and Bilawal Bhatti claimed two wickets each, while skipper Iftikhar Ahmed made one scalp.
Chasing a modest total, Markhors’ batting unit skittled for a meagre 118 in 18.3 overs despite a 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket between Nisar Ahmad and Saad Masood.
The leaders had a disastrous start to the pursuit as they were reduced to 37/7 in eight overs, courtesy of Jahandad Khan’s sensational opening spell.
The left-arm pacer dismissed three Markhors’ batters, while Ali and in-form spinner Usman Tariq supported with two strikes each.
Following the slump, Nisar and Saad fought valiantly and knitted a crucial partnership to keep Markhors in the hunt.
The pair had lifted the Markhors to 94/7 in 15 overs but both perished in successive overs, bringing the total down to 107/9 in 16.1 overs.
Saad remained the top-scorer with a gutsy 38 off 29, while Nisar made 22 from 21 balls.
Ali then claimed the remaining Markhors’ wicket by getting Zahid caught behind in the penultimate over to cap off a rewarding victory for the Stallions.
The right-arm pacer led the Stallions’ bowling charge with 4/13, followed by Jahandad’s 3/9, while Usman Tariq bagged two wickets.
The 29-run victory helped Stallions replace Markhors at the top of the Champions T20 Cup standings. Both teams have 10 points after seven matches.