Champions T20 Cup: Markhors defeat Stallions by three runs

In the Champions T20 Cup, the Markhors team defeated the Stallions by 3 runs in today's thrilling encounter.

The first match of the event saw the Stallions winning the toss and opting to bowl first. In response, the Markhors posted a total of 170 runs for the loss of 6 wickets.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Khawaja Nafees were instrumental in their team's total. Fakhar Zaman scored 39 runs off 32 balls, hitting 5 fours and 1 six, while his opening partner Khawaja Nafees made 36 runs off 30 balls, including 3 sixes and 1 four. 

Mohammad Shahzad contributed 28 runs off 25 balls, while Iftikhar Ahmed was run out after making just 5 runs. Mohammad Sarwar scored 21 runs, and Abdul Samad was dismissed for a duck, caught off Tahir Hussain's delivery by Mohammad Mohsin.

For the Markhors, Mohammad Nawaz and Saad Masood remained not out, scoring 28 and 2 runs, respectively, giving their team a target of 171 runs for the Stallions to chase.

The Stallions' bowling attack was led by Mohammad Ali, who took 4 wickets, while Tahir Hussain claimed 3 wickets. Shoaib Malik and Usman Tariq both took 1 wicket each.

Chasing the target, the Stallions fell short by 3 runs, finishing at 167 for the loss of 6 wickets. Yasser Khan, the Stallions' opener, was dismissed for 17 runs, and Moaz Sadaqat played a stellar knock of 82 runs off 53 balls, hitting 10 fours and 2 sixes.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris scored 22 runs, while Shoaib Malik managed 16 runs. Hassan Talat, Mohammad Mohsin, and Moaz were dismissed for 9, 1, and 0 runs, respectively. Timor Khan and Obaid Shah remained unbeaten, scoring 14 and 4 runs, but it wasn't enough to reach the target.

For the Markhors, Nisar Ahmed was the standout bowler, claiming 3 wickets and earning the Player of the Match award. Aakif Ahmed, Mohammad Imran, and Sarwar Afridi each took 1 wicket.