In a nail-biting contest at the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup, UMT Markhors edged past Allied Bank Stallions by just 3 runs. Nisar Ahmad’s brilliant bowling and Maaz Sadaqat’s crucial late-order runs proved decisive, securing a hard-fought victory for the Markhors in this thrilling encounter.

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

Date	December 12, 2024
Venue	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
Tournament	Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25
Result	UMT Markhors won by 3 runs
Player of the Match	Nisar Ahmad (UMT Markhors)

Allied Bank Stallions won the toss and elected to field first, aiming to restrict UMT Markhors to a manageable total.

UMT Markhors

• Nisar Ahmad (UMT Markhors): His economical spell of 4-0-23-3 was instrumental in restricting the Stallions during the chase.
• Fakhar Zaman (UMT Markhors): Provided a solid start with his 39-run contribution at the top of the order.

Allied Bank Stallions

• Maaz Sadaqat (Allied Bank Stallions): His impressive 82-run knock kept the Stallions in contention throughout their innings.

UMT Markhors Innings

Batting first, UMT Markhors posted a competitive total of 170 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Key contributions included:

• Fakhar Zaman: 39 runs off 32 balls, including 5 fours and 1 six.
• Khawaja Mohammad Nafay: 36 runs off 30 balls, with 1 four and 3 sixes.
• Muhammad Shahzad: 28 runs off 25 balls, featuring 2 sixes.
• Mohammad Nawaz: An unbeaten 28 runs off just 13 balls, hitting 1 four and 2 sixes, providing a late surge to the innings.

Allied Bank Stallions’ bowling highlights:

• Maaz Sadaqat: 3 overs, 19 runs, 1 wicket.
• Usman Tariq: 4 overs, 20 runs, 2 wickets.
• Tahir Hussain: 3 overs, 36 runs, 2 wickets.

Allied Bank Stallions Innings

Chasing 171, Allied Bank Stallions fell just short, scoring 167 runs for 6 wickets in their 20 overs. Notable performances included:

• Maaz Sadaqat: A valiant 82 runs off 53 balls, decorated with 10 fours and 2 sixes.
• Mohammad Haris: 22 runs off 16 balls, contributing to the chase.
• Taimur Khan: A quickfire 14* runs off 6 balls, with 1 four and 1 six, attempting to close the gap in the final overs.

UMT Markhors’ bowling was led by:

• Akif Javed: 4 overs, 36 runs, 1 wicket.
• Nisar Ahmad: 4 overs, 23 runs, 3 wickets, earning him the Player of the Match award.

• Tight Finish: The match culminated in a nail-biting finish, with the Stallions needing 15 runs off the final over but falling short by 3 runs.
• Fielding Impact: UMT Markhors’ fielders held onto crucial catches, including the dismissal of the dangerous Maaz Sadaqat, which turned the tide in their favor.
• Bowling Discipline: Both teams exhibited disciplined bowling, with minimal extras conceded, maintaining pressure throughout the match.

In a thrilling contest, UMT Markhors edged out Allied Bank Stallions by a narrow margin, thanks to Nisar Ahmad’s exceptional bowling and a collective batting effort. Despite a valiant innings from Maaz Sadaqat, the Stallions couldn’t surpass the target, highlighting the competitive spirit of the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup 2024/25.