FAISALABAD: Lions booked a spot in the Champions Cup playoffs despite their 16-run loss to Dolphins in the last league-round match of the tournament here at the Iqbal Stadium on Sunday.

After Dolphins, who won the toss, had put up 326 runs on the board, Lions needed to score at least 260 to ensure qualification to the next round. They did so with three overs to spare, however missing the winning target narrowly.

Led by Pakistan pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, Lions will take on Stallions in Wednesday’s eliminator, a day before which table-toppers Markhors and Panthers will feature in the qualifier.

Dolphins opening batters Mohammad Huraira (47 off 41b, four fours and two sixes) and Mohammad Akhlaq (52 off 50, three fours and four sixes) laid the platform for a big score as they put on 63-ball 77-run second-wicket stand before the former departed in the 16th over.

After Dolphins were reduced to 126-3 in 19.1 overs, Umar Amin, the top scorer for Dolphins, hit 75 off 81 balls with the help of nine fours to keep the innings intact.

He also put on a 53-run (fourth-wicket) and 62-run (sixth-wicket) stand with Saud Shakeel (23 off 23) and Qasim Akram (31 off 26, four fours), respectively.

Faheem Ashraf ‘s 30 off 20 including three sixes helped Dolphins cross the 300-run mark as they finished 326 in 49.3 overs. Aamir Jamal (3-69), Ahmed Daniyal (2-58) and Shaheen Shah Afridi (2-58) were the leading bowlers for Lions as Khushdil Shah and Sharoon Siraj picked up one wicket each.

Half-centuries from Rohail Nazir (62 off 70, six fours and a six) and Khushdil (60 off 40) were crucial in keeping the Lions in hunt of the target. After a 78-run opening partnership between Rohail and Abdullah Shafique (27 off 42, three fours), Omair Bin Yousuf and Sharoon Siraj contributed 26 and 25 runs, respectively before Lions were reduced to 172-4 in 29 overs.

Mohammad Taha (40 off 49, four fours) and ouhammad Irfan Khan departed in a space of 19 balls as Lions were dented to 213-6 in 38 overs. Khushdil, batting at number seven, hit four fours and five sixes and was aided by Shaheen Shah Afridi who smoked five sixes in his unbeaten 33 off 28 balls but in vain.

Saud (2-24) and Mohammad Abbas Afridi (2-78) were the leading bowlers for Dolphins.

Scores in brief:

DOLPHINS 326 in 49.3 overs (Umar Amin 75, Mohammad Akhlaq 52, Mohammad Huraira 47, Qasim Akram 31, Faheem Ashraf 30; Aamir Jamal 3-69, Ahmed Daniyal 2-58, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-58); LIONS 310-8 in 50 overs (Rohail Nazir 62, Khushdil Shah 60, Shaheen Shah Afridi 33, Abdullah Shafique 27, Omair Bin Yousuf 26, Sharoon Siraj 25; Saud Shakeel 2-24, Mohammad Abbas Afridi 2-78).

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2024