The Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25 commenced with an exhilarating match between the Nurpur Lions and UMT Markhors at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on December 7, 2024.

Opting to field first after winning the toss, the UMT Markhors showcased strategic prowess, ultimately securing a four-wicket victory.

Date	December 7, 2024
Venue	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Match	UMT Markhors won by 4 wickets
Player of the Match	Saad Masood (UMT Markhors)

UMT Markhors won the toss and chose to field, a tactical decision that proved successful. Their disciplined bowling effort restricted the Nurpur Lions to a manageable total, setting the stage for an engaging chase.

Nurpur Lions

• Muhammad Awais Zafar: Anchored the innings with an unbeaten 40 off 34 balls.
• Hasan Nawaz: Played a quick cameo, scoring 22 off 13 deliveries.
• Bowling Highlight: Mohammad Salman impressed with figures of 4-0-21-3.

UMT Markhors

• Iftikhar Ahmed: Steered the chase with a composed 42* off 34 balls.
• Saad Masood: Contributed significantly with 26* runs off 16 balls and picked up 2 wickets for 20 runs.
• Nisar Ahmad: Bowled economically, taking 2 wickets for just 21 runs in 4 overs.

Nurpur Lions (First Innings)

The Nurpur Lions managed 150/7 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite early setbacks, Muhammad Awais Zafar held the innings together with his unbeaten 40 runs. Hasan Nawaz’s explosive knock added momentum, but the team struggled to maintain consistency. UMT Markhors’ bowlers, led by Nisar Ahmad and Saad Masood, applied pressure throughout.

Key Milestones:

• 50 runs: Reached in 6 overs
• 100 runs: Reached in 13.3 overs
• Final score: 150/7 in 20 overs

UMT Markhors (Second Innings)

Chasing 151, the Markhors started poorly with opener Khawaja Mohammad Nafay dismissed for a duck. However, contributions from Fakhar Zaman (28) and the match-winning partnership between Iftikhar Ahmed and Saad Masood turned the tide. Saad’s late flourish ensured the team reached their target with an over to spare.

Key Milestones:

• 50 runs: Reached in 5.5 overs
• 100 runs: Reached in 13.4 overs
• Final score: 154/6 in 19 overs

• UMT Markhors’ resilience: Their ability to recover after losing early wickets was key to their success.
• Nurpur Lions’ bowling effort: Despite Mohammad Salman’s exceptional spell, they fell short of defending the target.
• Player of the Match: Saad Masood’s all-round performance (26* runs and 2 wickets) earned him the accolade.

The opening match of the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25 set the tone for an exciting tournament. UMT Markhors showcased their depth and adaptability in a pressure-filled game, while Nurpur Lions will look to bounce back in their next match. The performances in this game underline the thrilling competition that awaits fans throughout the series. Stay tuned for more updates and match highlights from the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup!