- Lions win Champions One-Day Cup first eliminator round.
- The Lions defeated the Stallions by 12 runs.
- Lions set a target of 264 runs, achieving 263 for 9 after 50 overs.
The Lions won victory in the first Eliminator round of the Champions One-Day Cup, defeating the Stallions by 12 runs at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad on Wednesday.
Batting first, the Lions set a target of 264 runs, finishing their innings at 263 for 9 after 50 overs. Despite a shaky start, losing top-order batsman Rohail Nazir for just 4 runs, the team rallied with significant contributions from Mohammad Taha (47 runs) and Aamer Yamin (46 runs). Ahmed Daniyal also shone with a solid performance, scoring 65 runs off 59 balls, helping the Lions reach a competitive total.
In response, the Stallions, led by Mohammad Haris, were all out for 251 runs in 49.4 overs. Yasir Khan was the standout for the Stallions, scoring 39 runs, while Hussain Talat and Zaman Khan contributed 32 and 6 runs, respectively. Despite several players reaching the 20s and 30s, none managed to convert their innings into half-centuries. The Stallions struggled with wickets falling regularly, with their innings ending dramatically as Jahandad Khan was run out on the second last ball of the match.
The Lions’ bowling attack was led by Ahmed Daniyal and Khushdil Shah, each claiming three wickets, while Sirajuddin, Sharoon Siraj, and Faisal Akram took one wicket each. Daniyal’s exceptional performance throughout the series earned him the Player of the Series award during the post-match presentation, highlighting his vital contributions to the Lions’ success.