Naseem Shah’s (3-27) bowling brilliance and Kamran Ghulam’s blistering 102-ball 115 powered the Markhors over a comfortable 160-run victory against the Panthers to launch the inaugural Champions One-Day Cup at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Thursday.

PANTHERS’ INNINGS

Chasing a staggering target of 347-6, the Panthers were skittled out for 187 inside 35 overs. None of the Panthers’ batters could improvise with the exception of all-rounder Amad Butt, who racked up 84-ball 72, after he turned out to be the most expensive of the Panthers’ bowlers.

He clobbered nine boundaries and three sixes, before he was removed by Zahid Mahmood.

Other of the Panthers’ batters, who showed some resistance were Mubasir Khan (33 off 31), Usama Mir (21 off 20), and Saim Ayub (20 off 14).

Meanwhile, Abdul Bangalzai (4), Azan Awais (1), Usman Khan (8), Haider Ali (2), Shadab Khan (4), and Mohammad Hasnain (2) could not show any significant resistance with the bat.

Mohammad Zeeshan (1) remained unbeaten off 5 deliveries.

For the Markhors (3-27), Naseem Shah remained a standout bowler, bagging three wickets. Akif Javed (3-43) had also picked up three wickets.

Shahnawaz Dahani (2-29) had also grabbed two wickets.

Zahid Mahmood (1-50) took a scalp each.

Iftikhar Ahmed (0-22) remained wicketless.

MARKHORS’ INNINGS

Earlier, after being put into bat, the Markhors were off to a cautious start and lost their first wicket on 38, when the experienced opener, Fakhar Zaman (17 off 29) was undone by Mubasir Khan.

But it was Kamran Ghulam, who stitched up a crucial 133-run partnership with captain Mohammad Rizwan. Ghulam notched up his seventh century in the List A format, which turned the tide for the Markhors and mounted pressure on the Panthers.

Ghulam whacked 12 boundaries and three sixes before he was removed by Hasnain on 115.

Rizwan was bit cautious and tried to provide impetus to the Markhors’ innings. The skipper clobbered three sixes in his 57-ball 45, before he was trapped by Hasnain.

The 26-year-old, Abdul Samad was lethal with the bat and went to compile a fiery 25-ball 62, lacing with four boundaries and six towering sixes in the death overs to accelerate further the Markhors’ innings.

Iftikhar Ahmed proved his mettle and utilised his experience in the death overs to compile an unbeaten 44-ball 57, smashing seven boundaries and one six.

Mohammad Faizan 34 off 37 played a decent knock, complimenting with six boundaries.

Salman Agha could not score big runs and was caught and ball by Mubasir Khan on 5-ball 1.

Naseem Shah remained unbeaten on 0.

For the Panthers, Mubasir Khan (2-46) and Mohammad Hasnain (2-61) picked up two wickets apiece.

Mohammad Zeeshan (1-41) bagged one wicket. Amad Butt (1-89) had also taken a wicket but was far too expensive.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir had a horrendous run with the bowl, giving away 89 wickets in his 10-over spell and remaining wicketless.

Panthers skipper Shadab Khan (0-35) had also remained wicketless.

TOSS

The Panthers opted to bowl first against the Markhors.

PLAYER OF MATCH AWARD

Kamran Ghulam managed to clinch the inaugural player of the match award in the Champions Cup by scoring a brilliant ton over the Panthers.

The Shaheen Shah-led Lions will lock horns against the Saud Shakeel-inspired Dolphins side on Friday in the second match of the domestic white-ball tournament.