FAISALABAD – The Lions defeated the Stallions by 12 runs in the Eliminator 1 of the Champions One-Day Cup held at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Wednesday.
The Lions set a competitive target of 264 runs, and the Stallions, despite a valiant effort, were bowled out for 251 in the final over of the match.
The Stallions’ chase was led by Yasir Khan, who top-scored with 39 runs, followed by a gutsy performance from lower-order batsman Jahandad Khan, who contributed 36 off 31 balls. Other notable contributions came from Hussain Talat (32), Mohammad Mohsin (30), and Mohammad Haris (30), but none could anchor the innings long enough to see the team through.
The Lions’ bowlers, led by Khushdil Shah and Ahmed Daniyal, who each claimed three wickets, ensured the Stallions fell short in the tense final overs.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat, the Lions struggled at the start. Opener Rohail Nazir was dismissed cheaply for just 4 runs, and soon after, Omair Bin Yousaf followed him back to the pavilion. Imam-ul-Haq, who managed to score 23 runs, could not provide much stability either. However, the middle order fought back, with Mohammad Taha and Sharoon Siraj building a crucial 77-run partnership to lift the team from their early setbacks.
The real turning point for the Lions came from their tail-end batsmen. Aamer Yamin played a solid knock of 46, while Ahmed Daniyal remained unbeaten on 65*, guiding the Lions to a strong total of 264 runs. Their 81-run partnership provided the much-needed boost and set a challenging target for the Stallions.
With this win, the Lions now advance to face the Markhors in the second eliminator, where they will compete for a spot in the final of the tournament. The match is scheduled for September 27, and the winner will earn the right to challenge the Panthers, who have already secured their place in the final after a dominant seven-wicket victory in the qualifier.
Panthers beat Markhors to qualify for Champions One-Day Cup final
