In a thrilling finale to the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, the ABL Stallions showcased their dominance with a convincing 75-run victory over the UMT Markhors. The match on Wednesday evening highlighted an explosive century from Yasir Ali and a mesmerizing bowling display by Mohammad Ali, cementing Stallions’ position as one of the premier teams in Pakistan’s T20 circuit.
The foundation of Stallions’ success was laid by Yasir Ali’s brilliant 100 off just 57 balls. His knock, decorated with seven sixes and five boundaries, was a masterclass in aggressive yet controlled batting. The opening batter was unstoppable, making the most of his reprieve when dropped on 12, and eventually brought up his century in style, taking the game away from the Markhors.
Yasir’s partnership with skipper Mohammad Haris (21 off 15 balls) and later contributions from Jahandad Khan (22* off 10 balls) ensured Stallions posted an intimidating 199-5.
Defending the hefty target, Mohammad Ali spearheaded Stallions’ bowling attack with figures of 3-19. His exceptional performance, complemented by Usman Tariq’s economical spell of 2-10, dismantled the Markhors’ batting lineup. Ali’s efforts not only sealed the win but also earned him the top bowler accolade, with an impressive tally of 22 wickets in the tournament.
The Markhors, chasing 200, crumbled under pressure. Star batter Fakhar Zaman, pivotal in earlier matches, managed only 20 runs before falling to Jahandad Khan. Mohammad Faizan’s valiant 43 off 33 balls was the lone bright spot, as the rest of the batting order faltered. Skipper Iftikhar Ahmed tried to steady the innings with a 21-ball 22, but the lack of support from other batters, including ducks from Abdul Samad and Saad Masood, sealed their fate.
The victory marked another feather in the cap for the ABL Stallions, further enriching their T20 legacy. For the UMT Markhors, it was a bitter pill to swallow— their second final defeat this year after losing the Champions Cup one-day final in Faisalabad.
- Match-Winner Yasir Ali: The opener’s second T20 century proved to be the cornerstone of Stallions’ victory.
- Mohammad Ali’s Mastery: His three-wicket haul and consistency throughout the tournament were instrumental in Stallions’ campaign.
- UMT Markhors’ Inconsistencies: Despite strong individual performances during the tournament, the team faltered under pressure in the final.
The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup once again showcased the depth of cricketing talent in Pakistan. While Stallions revel in their well-earned victory, the Markhors will need to regroup and address their shortcomings.
With performances like these, cricket fans in Pakistan can look forward to more thrilling matches and rising stars emerging in domestic tournaments.