FAISALABAD: The toss of the Champions One-Day Cup’s Eliminator 2 between the Markhors and the Lions has been delayed due to the wet outfield here on Friday.
The winner of the Eliminator will face the winners of the Qualifier — Panthers, led by all-rounder Shadab Khan, in the final on 29 September.
Notably, Panthers outclassed Mohammad Rizwan-led Markhors by seven wickets to qualify for the Champions One-Day Cup final.
Saim Ayub played a pivotal role in guiding his side to victory in the high-stakes clash by backing his five-wicket haul with an anchoring knock up the order in the run chase.
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He was supported by wicketkeeper batter Usman Khan, who scored a quickfire half-century to steer the Panthers to a statement victory with 158 balls to spare.
Meanwhile, the Lions defeated Stallions with a narrow 12-run margin in the Champions One-Day Cup Eliminator to set up the Eliminator 2 against Markhors.
It’s worth noting that the players selected in Pakistan’s squad for the first Test against England have been withdrawn from Champions One-Day Cup squads.
Consequently, the Lions will be without their captain Shaheen Afridi, all-rounder Aamir Jamal and opening batter Abdullah Shafique, meanwhile, Markhors will be missing skipper Mohammad Rizwan, as well as all-rounder Salman Ali Agha and pace bowler Naseem Shah.
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