In a thrilling encounter of the One-Day Champions Cup on September 14, Mohammad Hasnain’s five-wicket haul led Shadab Khan’s Panthers to a 50-run victory over Saud Shakeel’s Dolphins. After being dropped following Pakistan’s 2023 New Zealand tour, Hasnain made a strong comeback, bagging crucial wickets at key moments.
Shadab and Usman Shine with the Bat
After winning the toss, Shadab Khan elected to bat first, with the Panthers posting a solid 328. Usman Khan was the anchor of the innings, scoring a steady 111 off 110 balls. His partnership with Umar Siddiq (30) stabilized the innings after a shaky start, with both openers dismissed early by Mir Hamza.
Haider Ali’s brisk 46-ball 65 helped maintain momentum, and skipper Shadab Khan provided a quickfire finish, scoring 65 off 45 balls. His knock, combined with Usman’s century, set up a competitive total despite late strikes from Abbas Afridi and Usman Qadir.
Dolphins Struggle to Keep Up with Panthers’ Total
Dolphins’ chase faltered despite half-centuries from Sahibzada Farhan (52) and Qasim Akram (65). Farhan struggled to accelerate during the powerplay, while Hurraira’s 39 provided some momentum before falling to Shadab in the 13th over.
Qasim Akram and Faheem Ashraf attempted a counter-attack, keeping Dolphins in the hunt. Akram’s 62-ball 65 and Ashraf’s 41 off 35 runs put up a valiant fight, but Hasnain’s return to the attack proved decisive. He dismissed Akram, Ashraf, and Abbas Afridi in quick succession, ensuring the Panthers’ victory.
Sarfaraz Khan Compares Rohit Sharma to Bhuvan from Lagaan
Hasnain’s Key Role
Hasnain was expensive, conceding 74 runs from his 10 overs, but his five-wicket haul—including the key dismissals of Saud Shakeel, Akram, and Ashraf—turned the tide in Panthers’ favor. His short bursts with the ball were critical in breaking crucial partnerships and maintaining pressure on Dolphins’ middle order.
With this performance, Hasnain reminded selectors of his potential, hoping to earn a recall to the national team after inconsistent performances earlier in his international career.
Shadab Khan’s All-Round Impact
Shadab Khan not only contributed with the bat but also delivered a tight spell, picking up the key wicket of Hurraira. His leadership, combined with his ability to deliver in crunch situations, was pivotal in Panthers’ success.
Panthers’ Comprehensive Victory
In the end, Dolphins were bowled out for 278 in the 47th over, 50 runs short of the target. The Panthers’ all-round performance, highlighted by Shadab’s batting and Hasnain’s match-winning bowling, secured a vital victory in the Champions Cup.
Hasnain’s return to form will be closely watched as Pakistan continues to evaluate their pace options ahead of upcoming international series.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
