The UMT Markhors showcased a commanding performance in the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup Qualifier, defeating the Nurpur Lions by 29 runs to advance to the final. The victory was powered by Fakhar Zaman explosive 89, which anchored the innings, and Abdul Samad’s quickfire 41, adding the finishing touches to a formidable total. The Markhors’ all-round display proved too strong for the Lions in this high-stakes encounter.

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

Date	December 23, 2024
Venue	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Tournament	Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25
Result	UMT Markhors won by 29 runs
Player of the Match	Fakhar Zaman

Nurpur Lions won the toss and elected to field first, aiming to restrict UMT Markhors to a manageable total.

UMT Markhors

• Fakhar Zaman : Awarded Player of the Match for his explosive 89 runs, setting a strong foundation for the team’s total.
• Abdul Samad : Provided a crucial late innings boost with an unbeaten 41, accelerating the scoring rate.

Nurpur Lions

• Afaq Afridi (Nurpur Lions): Notable bowling performance, claiming 3 wickets and attempting to stem the flow of runs.

UMT Markhors Innings

Batting first, UMT Markhors posted a competitive total of 180 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Key contributions included:

• Fakhar Zaman: 89 runs off 64 balls, including 9 fours and 5 sixes, anchoring the innings with a commanding performance.
• Abdul Samad: An unbeaten 41 runs off 20 balls, featuring 5 fours and 2 sixes, providing a late surge to the total.
• Iftikhar Ahmed: 14 runs off 17 balls, contributing in the middle order.

Nurpur Lions’ bowling highlights:

• Afaq Afridi: 4 overs, 29 runs, 3 wickets, delivering crucial breakthroughs.
• Shahab Khan: 4 overs, 36 runs, 2 wickets, maintaining pressure during the middle overs.

Nurpur Lions Innings

Chasing a target of 181, Nurpur Lions managed to score 151 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in their 20 overs, falling short by 29 runs. Notable performances included:

• Mohammad Taha: 44 runs off 28 balls, including 1 four and 4 sixes, leading the scoring for the Lions.
• Hasan Nawaz: 27 runs off 22 balls, with 1 four and 2 sixes, providing a solid start.
• Musa Khan: An unbeaten 26 runs off 17 balls, adding resistance towards the end.

UMT Markhors’ bowling was led by:

• Nisar Ahmad: 4 overs, 19 runs, 2 wickets, showcasing economical bowling.
• Akif Javed: 4 overs, 22 runs, 3 wickets, playing a pivotal role in restricting the opposition.

• Strong Opening Stand: Fakhar Zaman’s innings was instrumental in building a formidable total for UMT Markhors.
• Middle-Order Collapse: Nurpur Lions faced a middle-order collapse, losing wickets at regular intervals, which hindered their chase.
• Effective Death Bowling: UMT Markhors’ bowlers executed their plans effectively in the death overs, preventing the Lions from mounting a successful chase.

UMT Markhors showcased a well-rounded performance, with Fakhar Zaman’s stellar batting and a disciplined bowling attack leading them to a 29-run victory over Nurpur Lions in the Qualifier match. This win propels the Markhors into a strong position as they advance further in the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25.