RAWALPINDI: Hussain Talat smashed a scintillating century while Saad Masood shone with bat and ball as Allied Bank Stallions and UMT Markhors opened the Bahria Town Champions T20 Cup with victories at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

With Hussain in punishing form, the Stallions got home against Lake City Panthers by 35 runs.

Hussain struck a dozen boundaries and three sixes in a 50-ball 101, sharing a 128-run stand for the third wicket with Mohammad Haris (55) as the Stallions posted 216-3 after being put into bat.

Haider Ali, who smashed four sixes and five fours in a 26-ball 54, offered the Panthers some hope in the chase before they were eventually bundled out for 181 with five balls to spare with Usman Tariq and Mohammad Ali picking three wickets apiece.

Earlier, Saad’s all-round performance helped the Markhors down Nurpur Lions by four wickets.

He picked up 2-20, ably supported by Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (2-11) and Nisar Ahmed (2-21), as the Lions were restricted to 150-7.

Saad then laid the anchor in the chase with an unbeaten 26, providing the ideal foil for hard-hitting Iftikhar Ahmed (42 not out) as the Markhors cruised to victory with an over to spare.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2024