RAWALPINDI: Veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik performed both with the bat and ball to steer Stallions to a narrow victory over Lions in the ongoing Champions T20 Cup at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium here on Monday.
Lions’ skipper Imam-ul-Haq invited Stallions to bat first and his bowlers reduced the batting side to 21-2 early on.
Maaz Sadaqat played a composed 32-run knock, while captain Mohammad Haris struck 25 to stabilize the Stallions’ innings.
Following the quick dismissals of Sadaqat and Haris, Hussain Talat joined hands with Shoaib Malik to construct an 88-run stand for the fifth wicket.
Malik scored 39 off 30, while Talat smashed an unbeaten 51 off 36 to take Stallions to a respectable total of 162-5 in 20 overs.
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In response, the Lions had a shaky start to the run-chase as they lost Zeeshan Malik in the first over. Imam added 71 runs for the second wicket with Hasan Nawaz before the Lions witnessed a dramatic collapse, losing four wickets in quick succession.
Imam top-scored with 43 off 28, while Nawaz played a 30-run knock from 25 balls.
Khushdil Shah played a scratchy knock of 28 runs from 29 balls, while Aamer Yamin struck an unbeaten 27 off 24 but could not take their team across the line as they managed to score 150-7 in their 20 overs.
For Stallions, Zaman Khan, Shoaib Malik and Usman Tariq took two wickets each, while Mohammad Ali bagged one.
It’s worth noting that the Stallions are currently sitting at the top of the Champions T20 Cup points table with victories in both of their matches.
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