Stallions cruise into Champions Cup T20 final

RAWALPINDI: Mohammad Ali’s fiery 4-15 and Mohammad Haris’s unbeaten 52 powered ABL Stallions into the Bahria Town Champions Cup T20 final, crushing Engro Dolphins in style at the Pindi Stadium on Saturday.

The Stallions, with a decisive chase of 132 in just 14 overs—well ahead of the 17.1 over requirement—clinched a direct spot in the December 25 final, leaving no room for doubt about their supremacy.

Their dominating performance came against the winless Dolphins, who failed to secure a single victory in the tournament.

With 12 points from eight games, Stallions edged past UMT Markhors for a spot in the final, thanks to their superior net run rate.

The Markhors, who earlier outclassed Lake City Panthers by six wickets, will now face Nurpur Lions in Monday’s Qualifier. The Lions, with five wins and 10 points, secured third place in the standings.

Stallions’ Ruthless Dominance

Once Mohammad Ali and Hussain rattled the Dolphins’ batting order, the result seemed inevitable. Qasim Akram’s gritty 40 off 34 balls, Faheem Ashraf’s 26 off 23, and Abbas Afridi’s quick 21 off 11 provided some resistance, but their total of 131 proved insufficient.

The Stallions’ opening pair of Yasir Khan (32 off 26) and Maaz Sadaqat (28 off 15) set the stage with a blazing 58-run partnership in just 5.4 overs. Haris then sealed the deal with an emphatic boundary, finishing his match-winning knock in style.

Markhors Stay in the Hunt

In the first match of the day, Lake City Panthers posted 155-6, with Umar Siddiq top-scoring with a composed 41 off 34 balls. Contributions from Arafat Minhas (34 off 24) and Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (24 off 25) gave their innings some stability. However, UMT Markhors chased down the target with ease in just 13.3 overs.

Muhammad Imran’s sensational 69 not out off 34 balls, laced with five sixes and six boundaries, was the highlight of the innings. Fakhar Zaman’s 49 off 28 and Abdul Samad’s explosive 34 off nine balls (including five sixes) ensured a clinical victory.

Final Showdown Awaits

As the tournament reaches knock out stage, ABL Stallions await their opponents in the final, while UMT Markhors and Nurpur Lions gear up for a fierce battle in the Qualifier. The stage is set for an electrifying conclusion to the Bahria Town Champions Cup T20!

Scores in brief:

Match 19 - UMT Markhors beat Lake City Panthers by six wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Lake City Panthers 155-6, 20 overs (Umar Siddiq 41, Arafat Minhas 34, Abdul Wahid Bangalzai 24; Mohammad Imran Jnr 3-35)

UMT Markhors 160-4, 13.3 overs (Muhammad Imran 69 not out, Fakhar Zaman 49, Abdul Samad 34 not out; Mohammad Ibtisam 2-41)

Player of the match: Muhammad Imran (UMT Markhors)

Match 20: ABL Stallions beat Engro Dolphins by six wickets at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Engro Dolphins 131 all out, 20 overs (Qasim Akram 40, Faheem Ashraf 26, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 21; Mohammad Ali 4-15, Hussain Talat 3-16, Zaman Khan 2-41)

ABL Stallions 133-4, 14 overs (Mohammad Haris 52 not out, Yasir Khan 32, Maaz Sadaqat 28; Mohammad Rameez Jnr 2-29)

Player of the match: Mohammad Ali (ABL Stallions).