Babar Azam’s 76 Powers Stallions to Victory Over Lions in Champions One-Day Cup

Chasing a target of 337, the Lions collapsed

for 203 in 39.3 overs, with Stallions’ bowlers

putting on an impressive display

News Desk

Faisalabad: Babar Azam’s brilliant 76 led the Allied Bank Stallions to a commanding 133-run victory over Nurpur Lions in the second match of the Champions One-Day Cup on Friday at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. Chasing a target of 337, the Lions collapsed for 203 in 39.3 overs, with Stallions’ bowlers putting on an impressive display.

Babar Azam’s Match-Winning Knock

Babar Azam was the star of the Stallions’ innings, anchoring the team with a superb knock of 76 off 79 balls. His innings featured nine boundaries and played a crucial role in building the team’s formidable total of 336-5. Babar’s third-wicket partnership of 114 runs with Tayyab Tahir (74) set the foundation for the Stallions’ dominant performance.

Babar’s calm and composed innings was a masterclass in pacing, ensuring the team stayed on track after the early loss of Yasir Khan (13) and Shan Masood (41). His dismissal in the 35th over by Shaheen Shah Afridi came after he had set the perfect platform for the middle-order to capitalize.

Explosive Finishing from Haris and Hussain

Following Babar’s departure, Mohammad Haris (55 off 36) and Hussain Talat (50* off 33) added quick runs in the death overs. The duo shared an 88-run partnership off just 53 balls, steering the Stallions past the 300-run mark. Jahandad Khan’s quick 20 off 11 balls ensured the Stallions posted 118 runs in the last 10 overs.

Lions’ Struggle Against Stallions’ Bowling Attack

In reply, Lions were reduced to 22-3 in the first 6 overs, thanks to early breakthroughs from Mohammad Ali and Jahandad Khan. Hussain Talat and Haris Rauf took key wickets, including Sharoon Siraj (28) and Khushdil Shah (19), as the Lions faltered at 107-5.

Imam-ul-Haq fought back with a gritty 78 off 83 balls, but his effort was in vain as Lions collapsed, losing their last five wickets for just 96 runs. Haris Rauf was the standout bowler, taking 3-43.

Scores in Brief

Allied Bank Stallions: 336-5, 50 overs (Babar Azam 76, Tayyab Tahir 74, Mohammad Haris 55, Hussain Talat 50, Shan Masood 41; Aamir Jamal 2-60, Shaheen Shah Afridi 2-63, Faisal Akram 1-40)

Nurpur Lions: 203 all out, 39.3 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 78, Sharoon Siraj 28, Aamer Yamin 22, Shaheen Shah Afridi 22; Haris Rauf 3-43, Mohammad Ali 2-18, Jahandad Khan 2-33)

Result: Allied Bank Stallions won by 133 runs
Player of the Match: Babar Azam (Allied Bank Stallions)