In a nail-biting encounter of the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup, UMT Markhors faced off against the Nurpur Lions, delivering a match filled with excitement and drama. The Markhors clinched a narrow 3-wicket victory, thanks to standout performances by Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Faizan, who played pivotal roles in chasing down a challenging target. Their remarkable contributions highlighted the competitive spirit of the tournament, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.

Also Read : Nurpur Lions vs UMT Markhors Match Highlights Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25

Date	December 15, 2024
Venue	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Tournament	Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25
Result	UMT Markhors won by 3 wickets
Player of the Match	Iftikhar Ahmed (UMT Markhors)

Nurpur Lions won the toss and elected to bat first, setting a target for UMT Markhors to chase.

UMT Markhors

• Iftikhar Ahmed (UMT Markhors): Awarded Player of the Match for his explosive 66 off 31 balls, guiding the team to victory.
• Mohammad Faizan (UMT Markhors): Top-scored alongside Iftikhar with a resilient 66, anchoring the innings.

Nurpur Lions

• Shahid Aziz (Nurpur Lions): Bowled exceptionally, taking 4 wickets for 32 runs in his 4 overs.

UMT Markhors Innings

Chasing a target of 188, UMT Markhors achieved the target in 20 overs, scoring 189 for 7 wickets. Notable performances included:

• Mohammad Faizan: 66 runs off 42 balls, decorated with 3 fours and 5 sixes.
• Iftikhar Ahmed: An explosive 66 runs off 31 balls, featuring 2 fours and 8 sixes, steering the chase.
• Khawaja Mohammad Nafay: 17 runs off 18 balls, providing stability at the top.

Nurpur Lions’ bowling was led by:

• Khushdil Shah: 3 overs, 25 runs, 1 wicket.
• Shahid Aziz: 4 overs, 32 runs, 4 wickets, showcasing exceptional bowling.

Nurpur Lions Innings

Batting first, Nurpur Lions posted a competitive total of 187 runs for the loss of 7 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Key contributions included:

• Imam-ul-Haq: 28 runs off 19 balls, including 3 fours and 1 six.
• Hasan Nawaz: 24 runs off 16 balls, with 3 fours and 1 six.
• Aamer Yamin: An unbeaten 39 runs off 27 balls, featuring 2 fours and 2 sixes, providing a late surge to the innings.

UMT Markhors’ bowling highlights:

• Akif Javed: 4 overs, 47 runs, 2 wickets.
• Nisar Ahmad: 4 overs, 40 runs, 2 wickets.
• Mohammad Nawaz: 3 overs, 22 runs, 1 wicket.

• Chase Mastery: The partnership between Mohammad Faizan and Iftikhar Ahmed was pivotal in successfully chasing down the target.
• Bowling Excellence: Shahid Aziz’s four-wicket haul was instrumental in creating pressure, though it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
• Fielding Impact: Both teams exhibited sharp fielding, with crucial catches and run-outs influencing the game’s outcome.

In a closely contested match, UMT Markhors emerged victorious over Nurpur Lions by a narrow margin. The explosive batting performances of Mohammad Faizan and Iftikhar Ahmed were instrumental in chasing down the target, while Shahid Aziz’s exceptional bowling created significant challenges. This win enhances the Markhors’ standing in the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25, showcasing their resilience and competitive spirit.