Fakhar Zaman Propels Markhors to Champions T20 Cup Final

Pakistan’s sidelined batter Fakhar Zaman was the hero as Markhors secured their spot in the final of the five-team Champions T20 Cup with a commanding 29-run victory over Lions in the Qualifier at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Fakhar’s scintillating knock was consolidated by Akif Javed’s clinical bowling display which proved pivotal in the high-stakes encounter, setting up a title clash with Stallions on Wednesday.

After being put into bat, Markhors stumbled early, losing three wickets for just 23 runs as Afaq Afridi continued his stellar form with the ball. Fresh off a hat trick in his previous outing, Afridi struck twice in his second over, removing Khawaja Mohammad Nafay and Mohammad Faizan for ducks, and later dismissing Muhammad Imran for one.

Despite the early collapse, Fakhar Zaman showcased his experience and skill, smashing 89 off 64 balls, including five towering sixes and nine boundaries. He steadied the innings with crucial partnerships, adding 30 runs with Iftikhar Ahmed (14) and 35 runs with Mohammad Nawaz (10). The turning point came in an explosive 82-run stand for the sixth wicket with Abdul Samad, who blazed his way to an unbeaten 41 off 20 balls, striking two sixes and five boundaries.

The Markhors finished at a competitive 180-6 in their 20 overs.

Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for the Lions, finishing with 3-29, while left-arm pacer Shahab Khan claimed 2-36.

Lions’ chase got off to a disastrous start, losing both openers, Imam-ul-Haq (run out for one) and Omair Bin Yousuf (two), within the first three overs. Despite a brief recovery led by Mohammad Taha and Hasan Nawaz, who added 62 runs for the third wicket, the Lions never looked in control.

Taha top-scored with a brisk 44 off 28 balls, including four sixes and a boundary, while Nawaz contributed 27 off 22 balls. Musa Khan’s unbeaten 26 provided some resistance late in the innings, but the Lions were eventually restricted to 151-9.

Akif Javed was the standout bowler for the Markhors, finishing with figures of 3-22, while Nisar Ahmed chipped in with 2-19.

With the win, Markhors reached the Champions T20 Cup final against Stallions, who qualified directly as table-toppers. Lions were relegated to a third-place finish in the tournament, with Panthers ending in fourth and Dolphins finishing at the bottom of the standings.

The final promises a thrilling conclusion to the tournament and could help Fakhar reclaim his spot in the national team, especially given Pakistan‘s struggles up top.