Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s brilliant 76-ball knock and brilliance from the bowlers helped the Stallions to a lopsided 133-run victory against the Lions in the second match of the inaugural Champions One-Day Cup at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad. on Friday. LION’S MOVE Chasing a mammoth target of 337 runs, the Lions failed to put up any significant resistance to the willow and continued to be bowled out for 203 in 40 overs. Lions opener Imamul Haq was the only batsman to show any serious resistance with the bat, scoring an 83-ball 78 before being caught by Jahandad Khan. Another of the Lions batsmen who showed some kind of resistance was Sharoon Siraj (28). Aamer Yamin and Shaheen Shah Afridi compiled 22 each. Yamin was dismissed by Mehran Mumtaz while Shaheen was dismissed by his teammate from Pakistan and Lahore Qalandars, Haris Rauf. Sajjad Ali (0), Abdullah Shafique (9), Omair Yousuf (2), Aamer Jamal (0), Sirajuddin (10) and Khushdil Shah (19) failed to put up much resistance with the bat. For the Stallions, Haris Rauf (3-43) seized the opportunity and showed his experience by taking three wickets. Mohammad Ali (2-18) and Jahandad Khan (2-33) took two wickets each. Abrar Ahmed (1-39), Hussain Talat (1-13) and Mehran Mumtaz (1-56) claimed a scalp each. CHANGE OF STALLIONS Electing to bat first, the Stallions registered a stunning tournament on the scorecard as they posted a score of 336-5 in their 50 overs. After losing Pakistan skipper Shan Masood (41) and Yasir Khan (13), Babar Azam and Tayyab provided impetus to the Stallions’ innings by putting on a 114-run partnership. The partnership began to frustrate the Shaheen Shah Afridi-led Lions. Babar’s innings turned out to be classy with nine boundaries. Tayyab wasn’t bad either as he flexed his muscles to put together a 72-ball knock studded with seven boundaries and two towering sixes. Babar and Tayyab’s hard work was not in vain, Stallions captain Mohammad Haris played a sensational knock and put together a 36-ball 55, hitting four boundaries and four sixes. Hussaiun Talat made sure he ticked all the boxes with the bat in the death over to post an impressive total for his team over the Lions. Talat hit six boundaries and one six in his unbeaten knock which was well complimented by Jahandad Khan who also remained unbeaten and hit two boundaries. Aamer Jamal (2-60) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-63) took two wickets for the Lions. Faisal Akram (1-40) claimed a scalp. Aamer Yamin (0-62), Sirajuddin (0-72), Khushdil Shah (0-24), Sharoon Siraj (0-14) remained wicketless.
TOSS :The Stallions elected to bat first against the Lions in the second game of the home white ball tournament.
