In a thrilling contest at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Hasan Nawaz’s explosive batting and Khushdil Shah’s all-round brilliance steered Nurpur Lions to a nail-biting three-wicket victory over ABL Stallions in the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup.
Hasan Nawaz, the hard-hitting opener, proved once again why he is a rising star in cricket. With an electrifying 74 runs, his innings showcased clean, powerful hitting that left the cricketing world in awe. Despite losing his partner Imam-ul-Haq early, Hasan carried the chase with sheer determination. His partnerships with Shahzaib Khan and Mohammad Taha built the foundation for Nurpur Lions’ successful pursuit of 169.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 15th over when ABL Stallions’ mentor and seasoned campaigner Shoaib Malik dismissed Hasan. This breakthrough left Nurpur Lions needing 47 runs from the final five overs. Rohail Nazir, however, rose to the occasion with an ice-cool 26 not out off just 12 balls, sealing the win with a flurry of boundaries.
ABL Stallions’ Strong Show Despite Loss
Batting first, ABL Stallions displayed resilience as Hussain Talat anchored the innings with a 29-ball 43, supported by contributions from Maaz Sadaqat (34) and Shoaib Malik (22). The openers, Maaz and Shamyl Hussain, gave the team a flying start with a brisk 46-run partnership. However, wickets in quick succession during the death overs, including two run-outs, restricted the Stallions to 168.
The bowlers from both sides had their moments. For the Stallions, Maaz Sadaqat’s economical spell of 2-16 kept the pressure on. Shoaib Malik chipped in with 2-26, showing his all-round capabilities. For the Lions, Musa Khan shone with figures of 3-32, supported by Khushdil Shah and Shahid Aziz, who grabbed two wickets each.
Current Standings
Despite the defeat, ABL Stallions remain at the top of the table with eight points from six matches. Nurpur Lions, with their third win, moved to third place, tying in points with UMT Markhors but trailing in net run rate. Lake City Panthers also share six points but are placed fourth due to an inferior net run rate. Engro Dolphins languish at the bottom, yet to register a win.
Player of the Match: Hasan Nawaz
Unsurprisingly, Hasan Nawaz was named Player of the Match for his game-changing 74. His ability to take on bowlers fearlessly and deliver under pressure has made him a standout performer in the tournament.
