Lions Secure 12-Run Victory Over Stallions, Set to Face Markhors in Champions One-Day Cup Second Eliminator
The Lions continued their journey in the Champions One-Day Cup with a thrilling 12-run victory over the Stallions in the Eliminator match held in Faisalabad.
The all-round performance of Ahmed Daniyal, combined with Khushdil Shah’s three-wicket haul, kept the Lions’ hopes alive as they prepare to face the Markhors in the second Eliminator on Friday. The winner of that clash will take on the Panthers in the final on Sunday.
Opting to bat first, the Lions found themselves in trouble early on at 43 for 3. However, a 77-run partnership between Sharoon Siraj (38) and Mohammad Taha (47) steadied the ship. But Stallions’ bowlers struck back, reducing Lions from 120 for 3 to 140 for 7 in just five overs.
With a sub-200 total looming, Ahmed Daniyal (65* off 59 balls) and Aamer Yamin (46) launched a crucial counterattack, adding 81 runs for the eighth wicket. This late surge helped Lions post a competitive 263 for 9. Ubaid Shah was the standout bowler for Stallions, taking 3 for 46, while Adil Amin and Maaz Sadaqat picked up two wickets each.
In response, Stallions got off to a solid start, with Yasir Khan (39) and Maaz Sadaqat (27) adding 64 for the opening wicket. However, Khushdil Shah’s double strike in successive overs derailed their chase, reducing Stallions to 68 for 3.
A promising 69-run partnership between Tayyab Tahir and Hussain Talat gave Stallions hope, but Daniyal broke through again in the 30th over, halting their momentum.
Despite late resistance from captain Mohammad Haris and Jahanad Khan, Stallions couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. They needed 23 runs from the final two overs with only two wickets in hand, but the Lions held their nerve and bowled them out for 251.
Khushdil finished with impressive figures of 3 for 40, while Daniyal chipped in with 3 for 59, sealing a hard-fought victory for the Lions.
The Lions will now face Markhors in a must-win second Eliminator on Friday, with the winner advancing to the final to meet the Panthers.
