Lake City Panthers secured a seven-wicket victory in the Qualifier of the Bahria Town Champions One-Day Cup, qualifying for the final. The team, led by Saim Ayub and Mohammad Hasnain, shared eight wickets, while Usman Khan scored an unbeaten 26-ball 54. The Panthers chased a meagre 138-run target in 23.4 overs, qualifying for the final on 27 September.

By PakPassion Staff (24-09-2024)

Saim Ayub's maiden five-wicket haul across formats in competitive career in just six overs, while Hasnain's figures increased to 14 in the tournament. Ali Raza removed Haseebullah in the second over of the innings, while Hasnain broke the back of the Markhors batting lineup in the next over, striking on back-to-back balls and pinning Kamran Ghulam leg-before. Fakhar Zaman was dismissed in the seventh over, reducing the Markhors to 25-4.

A 77-run partnership between Salman Ali Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed brought some stability back to the Markhors innings, but Iftikhar was run out for 39 in 61 balls with three fours and one six. Salman hit four fours and a solitary six in his 52 off 81 balls. Markhors lost their last five wickets for 27 runs, managing 137 all out in 36 overs.

Saim Ayub gave his team a solid start, putting on a 50-run second-wicket partnership with Umar Siddiq after Azan Awais returned for 13. Usman Khan, batting at No. 4, hit five fours and four massive sixes to help his team chase the total in 23.4 overs, becoming the leading run-scorer of the tournament with 259 runs.