Stallions, Markhors to lock horns in final today

RAWALPINDI: The Pindi Stadium is all set to witness an electrifying clash as ABL Stallions and UMT Markhors will lock horns in the grand finale of the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup today (Wednesday).

With Pakistan’s cricketing future in focus, this high-stakes showdown is a testament to the nation’s growing inclination toward a fearless and aggressive playing style of T20 cricket.

A grueling campaign of 20 thrilling matches and a Qualifier has led to this moment. Both the finalists impressed with six wins out of eight games, but ABL Stallions edged ahead with a superior net run rate of 0.805, while the UMT Markhors followed closely at 0.606.

The two teams split victories in the double round-robin stage, with Stallions claiming a decisive 29-run win in their first encounter, only to be edged out by three runs in the second.

In the Qualifier, Misbah-ul-Haq’s mentored Markhors outclassed Nurpur Lions, setting up an enthralling finale.

Stallions’ skipper Mohammad Haris described their journey as a “topsy-turvy one,” commending emerging talents like Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, and Mehran Mumtaz under the guidance of mentor Shoaib Malik.

“We’ve faced ups and downs, but the boys have performed well, and I’ve learned a lot as captain,” said Haris.

Markhors’ captain Iftikhar Ahmed highlighted the team’s focus on aggressive cricket. “Our goal was to adapt the modern T20 style and feed dynamic players into the Pakistan team. Misbah-ul-Haq and the staff deserve credit for grooming talents like Akif Javed, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, and Saad Masood,” said Iftikhar.

Players to Watch: The tournament has seen a surge in power-hitting, with players like Abdul Samad (SR: 169.11), Haider Ali (161.53), and Khushdil Shah (151.72) leading the charge.

Stallions’ all-rounder Hussain Talat stands out with 310 runs at a blistering strike rate of 156, while Markhors’ seasoned Fakhar Zaman has amassed 283 runs at 138.73.

On the bowling front, Mohammad Ali of Stallions tops the charts with 19 wickets, while Markhors’ Nisar Ahmed has scalped 15, ensuring both teams are equipped with fiery attacks.

With a Rs25 million prize pot on the line, expect fireworks from both sides in what promises to be a mouth-watering contest.

The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup final is not just a battle for supremacy but a bold step toward redefining Pakistan’s cricketing identity on the global stage.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has introduced the Champions Cup to uncover hidden talent and refine domestic players into international stars.

Following the success of its 50-over format debut in Faisalabad, the T20 edition not only aimed to revolutionize Pakistan’s cricketing identity but also laid the groundwork for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

ABL Stallions road to final: Dec 7 - beat Panthers by 35 runs

Dec 8 - beat Lions by 12 runs

Dec 12 - lost to Markhors by three runs

Dec 13 - beat Dolphins by five runs

Dec 15 - beat Panthers by six wickets

Dec 17 - lost to Lions by three wickets

Dec 20 - beat Markhors by 29 runs

Dec 21 - beat Dolphins by six wickets.

UMT Markhors road to final: Dec 7 - beat Lions by four wickets.

Dec 10 - beat Dolphins by two wickets

Dec 12 - beat Stallions by three runs

Dec 13 - lost to Panthers by six wickets

Dec 15 – beat Lions by three wickets

Dec 18 – beat Dolphins by eight wickets

Dec 20 – lost to Stallions by 29 runs

Dec 21 – beat Panthers by six wickets

Dec 23 – Qualifier – beat Lions by 29 runs.