Irfan Khan’s commanding century and Khushdil Shah’s all-round brilliance propelled the Lions to their inaugural victory in the Champions One-Day Cup, ending the Markhors’ unbeaten streak in the tournament. This match continued the trend of all eight games being won by the team batting first.
The Lions got off to a strong start, with openers Abdullah Shafique and Imam-ul-Haq forming a solid 110-run partnership. Both batsmen scored half-centuries, with Shafique making 52 runs and Imam contributing 51. However, their dismissals came quickly as Zahid Mahmood claimed two wickets, followed by Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Imran, who removed Omair Yousuf (30) and Mohammad Taha (31), leaving the Lions at 181 for 4.
In a crucial phase, Irfan Khan and Khushdil Shah stepped up, forging a vital 147-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Their aggressive play yielded 12 fours and eight sixes, leading the Lions to a formidable total of 367 for 6. Khushdil scored a rapid 73 off just 45 balls before being dismissed, while Irfan continued his assault, reaching his century in just 56 balls.
In response, the Markhors began their chase positively, with Fakhar Zaman attacking Shaheen Shah Afridi during a brisk 80-run powerplay. However, Ahmed Daniyal’s dismissals of Bismillah Khan and Kamran Ghulam stalled their momentum. Khushdil then took charge with the ball, dismissing both Fakhar and Iftikhar Ahmed, further crippling the Markhors’ hopes.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan was run out for 20 in the 33rd over, leaving the Markhors needing 176 runs from 108 balls. Despite commendable efforts from Abdul Samad (42) and Salman Agha (69), the target proved too steep. Aamer Yamin and Afridi sealed the win for the Lions by dismissing both set batsmen and claiming another wicket each.
This victory not only marked the Lions’ first win of the tournament but also showcased their depth and resilience against a previously unbeaten side.
