Lions (367/6) edge past Markhors (332/9) by 35 runs in a thrilling encounter of the Champions One Day Cup 2024

[BouncerGuy]

The Pakistan Champions Cup One Day Tournament is set to heat up today on September 20, 2024, with a highly anticipated clash between the Markhors and the Lions.

Led by the formidable Mohammad Rizwan, the Markhors have started the tournament with a bang, remaining undefeated after three matches and firmly establishing themselves as the team to beat. However, the Lions, currently languishing at the bottom of the table with just one point from two matches, will be desperate to turn their fortunes around and keep their knockout stage hopes alive.

Squads:
LIONS: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Aamer Yamin, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir, Sajjad Ali Hashmi, Sharoon Siraj and Sirajuddin

MARKHORS: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abdul Samad, Akif Javed, Ali Usman, Bismillah Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Faizan, Mohammad Imran Jnr, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Sarwar Afridi, Muhammad Imran, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mehmood

=======

All posters please take note of the following guidelines for match threads on PakPassion:

1. No personal insults at other posters, players, officials, coaching staffs etc.

2. No making fun of player's, official's, coaching staff's names.

3. Do not add any references to media, their social media or post any pictures or screenshots from other sports websites.

4. Stick to commenting on this match. There is no need to bring other countries into the match discussion as there are plenty of other threads where those discussions can be added.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Expecting the first close contest of the tournament with this one.

 

[mominsaigol]

Expecting the first close contest of the tournament with this one.

Why? Because Imam has that fire in his eyes? Markhors will win, their team is extremly unbalanced for this tournament to glorify misbah

 

[MenInG]

Why? Because Imam has that fire in his eyes? Markhors will win, their team is extremly unbalanced for this tournament to glorify misbah

The "everything is Misbah fault" brigade in action

 

[mominsaigol]

The "everything is Misbah fault" brigade in action

Misbah + Ramiz + Wasim Khan + Naqvi + Waqar Younis + Shan's father who enforced the nepo baby culture and possibly Inzimam as well brigade in action

 

[BouncerGuy]

Toss Update:

Shaheen Afridi's Lions have chosen to bat first by winning the toss against Mohammad Rizwan's Markhors.

 

[Rana]

Ian Healy v Wasim Akram

 

[mominsaigol]

Toss Update:

Shaheen Afridi's Lions have chosen to bat first by winning the toss against Mohammad Rizwan's Markhors.

Abdullah and Imam have to be the weakest openers in the modern era. And they belong to pakistan courtesy of taking them to the world cup lol

 

[Rana]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Markhor’s let this game go to knock out Dolphins

 

[Farah Sohail]

Markhors have rested both Naseem Shah and Akif Javed…today…?

 

[Rana]

Markhors have rested both Naseem Shah and Akif Javed…today…?

Waqar Younis’s side needs to qualify. Misbah knows to scratch people’s backs that matter

 

[BouncerGuy]

Markhors have rested both Naseem Shah and Akif Javed…today…?

Yes. also rested faizan as fakhar comes back

 

[RidiculousMan]

Toss Update:

Shaheen Afridi's Lions have chosen to bat first by winning the toss against Mohammad Rizwan's Markhors.

Toss Update:

Shaheen Afridi's Lions have chosen to bat first by winning the toss against Mohammad Rizwan's Markhors.

Happy to see Mohammad Asghar back. He's the lost gem. I hope he does well today.

 

[Rana]

How depressing must it be to want to see Imam bat more than Shafique atm?

 

[Rana]

The guy keeps taking strike off the last ball of the over and then blocks out 2-3 only to take a single

Imam at least wants to play some strokes

 

[BouncerGuy]

Abdullah is pathetic and over rated

 

[Josh]

Today Rizwan's team will also fail to chase. Very boring tournament this.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Today Rizwan's team will also fail to chase. Very boring tournament this.

Don't worry. Fakhar is here now. He will chase anything alone.

 

[mominsaigol]

Imam showing that fire today

 

[Josh]

Don't worry. Fakhar is here now. He will chase anything alone.

He will fall early to a swinging delivery in the evening. These conditions demand grinding and exploding later on

 

[BouncerGuy]

RIzwan's captaincy will be tested here after this solid start. Not fast but still setting a solid foundation

 

[mominsaigol]

RIzwan's captaincy will be tested here after this solid start. Not fast but still setting a solid foundation

Oh bhai, their deliberately losing this for get dolphins out

 

[BouncerGuy]

Oh bhai, their deliberately losing this for get dolphins out

Misbah-waqar dosti gone where????

 

[khyberlion]

Oh bhai, their deliberately losing this for get dolphins out

And who told you that?

 

[Rana]

And who told you that?

It’s the best way to avoid the standard choke job against a Sindh based side in a knockout

 

[Rana]

Zahid bowling OK because Imam doesn’t have the guts to take him down the slog sweep route

That won’t be the case at International level

 

[Josh]

Oh bhai, their deliberately losing this for get dolphins out

Dolphins were stupid to bat second the only time when they won the toss. Dolphins have the toss decision to blame. No team is mentally strong enough to chase down any score excess of 250

 

[khyberlion]

It’s the best way to avoid the standard choke job against a Sindh based side in a knockout

The question was different to the one asked. Not sure about the need to bring regions into this. Maybe the lack of potential progression for sindh hasn't gone down well, after claiming they are the best.

 

[Galla]

Oh bhai, their deliberately losing this for get dolphins out

Lol as if dolphins are Australia so they need them out.They have been the weakest side of the tournament.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Both set batters gone now.

 

[Rana]

You’ve basically allowed the key bowler to settle in by not putting him off his lines early on.

Crucial 6 overs coming up by Zahid

 

[Rana]

Taha Bethel

 

[BouncerGuy]

This guy Taha is looking good.

 

[BouncerGuy]

This guy Taha is looking good.

Fearless batting from this youngster.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Taha's real test will be against fast bowling. Let's see his game.

 

[khyberlion]

Taha was looking decent till a fast bowler came on. Another one who can't play any pace.

 

[Rana]

Clear difference in the intent of Karachi players in comparison to others

These boys ain’t afraid to play hard

 

[AAli98]

Watched a bit of this low grade tournament all I can say is get ready for last over wins/losses v Ireland USA Scotland.

Can’t hold a bat or ball 4 good length delivery’s to save there lives.

 

[khyberlion]

Why can't Karachi players play pace bowling? They are excellent against spin but equally bad against pace.

 

[Rana]

Why can't Karachi players play pace bowling? They are excellent against spin but equally bad against pace.

They played it pretty nicely when 4x 140kmh seamers lined up against Sharjeel Khan in the T20 final

 

[khyberlion]

Irfan niazi is another player who won't make most international teams top 50 batsmens, but for Pakistan he's already playing.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Imam showing that fire today

You saw that too

 

[khyberlion]

They played it pretty nicely when 4x 140kmh seamers lined up against Sharjeel Khan in the T20 final

I have no problem sharjeel and saim are exceptions. Sharjeel should have been playing here. You don't have to take everything literally.

 

[Rana]

Big hitter Niazi lol

 

[Rana]

You always needs a Niazi to suck out the momentum from the innings

Some things will never change

 

[Ahmed216]

They played it pretty nicely when 4x 140kmh seamers lined up against Sharjeel Khan in the T20 final

Recently, after performing so well in Ajay Devgan legends league, it's a shame Sharjeel was kept out from this tournament.
Had he shown a little less 'intent' while eating biryani then this tournament would have been on fire

 

[Rana]

Recently, after performing so well in Ajay Devgan legends league, it's a shame Sharjeel was kept out from this tournament.
Had he shown a little less 'intent' while eating biryani then this tournament would have been on fire

Ah well how else will you give opportunities to guys like Faizanullah to take over for Pakistan and move up the ICC rankings individually?

 

[mominsaigol]

You saw that too

Sarcasm goes out the window for some people

 

[Rana]

Khushi taking on the short ball every time

Good lad

 

[mominsaigol]

The thing I hate is the commentators as well. Anytime a batter shows intent the feel the need to say some nonsense such as a bit too soon to be attacking don't you think?

Jee jee, clearly England and Australia operate with that mantra

 

[Rana]

Irfan Niazi was supposed to become our pollard according to @Major

 

[mominsaigol]

Irfan Niazi was supposed to become our pollard according to @Major

Major didn't lie though? He said irfan kham niazi is the successor to chacha and he's not wrong

 

[Rana]

The thing I hate is the commentators as well. Anytime a batter shows intent the feel the need to say some nonsense such as a bit too soon to be attacking don't you think?

Jee jee, clearly England and Australia operate with that mantra

I told you mate

The entire tournament and the atmosphere has been built to normalise 90s/early 2000s 50 over cricket

 

[Rana]

So it goes for 6…the commentator doesn’t say “it’s a bit too early for that”

He will say it if it’s a mis-hit though

 

[RidiculousMan]

Sarcasm goes out the window for some people

But the way Imam got out of his zone window to bat at 90+ SR

 

[mominsaigol]

I told you mate

The entire tournament and the atmosphere has been built to normalise 90s/early 2000s 50 over cricket

More like early 90's era. Classic Australia was smacking 350 to 400 scores in the early 2000's lol.

By 1996 Australia sealed the door for older era cricket. South Africa was the 2nd team to catch up and adjust, west indies the 3rd around 2005 ish, India was the 4th to adjust by 2006, then England a tad bit late but they adjusted by 2016.

Classic pakistan had began adjusting since 1994 where they were transitioning but they fizzled out, however the likes of inzi, Yousaf, Saeed Anwar etc were still faster then this lot, by 2009 pakistan had fully adjusted to modern era cricket but they had to give the reigns to misbah in 2011 lol.

The truth is Classic odi cricket has been dead since 1996. Australia killed it.

 

[mominsaigol]

But the way Imam got out of his zone window to bat at 90+ SR

Brother, in this day and age you just can't bat this way. Sure you can have one or 2 batters that bat this way.

For example zadran like to take his time, however you need someone to compliment you like gurbaz. And if you take your time you better make sure you go all the way, not just stagnate at 50.

Imam
Abdullah
Babar
Rizwan
Saud/agha
Chacha
Shadab
Nawaz

^^ Do you see anything good with this lineup that we sent last year to compete in a bloody world cup?

 

[Josh]

Should declare..already enough to be chased down

 

[lazy cricketer]

if only khushdil improves a lil bit more and improves a lil his bowling pak could have a decent middle-order player in the side

 

[Rana]

Feels like 2023 World Cup again for some players in this Markhor’s side

 

[Ahmed216]

Irfan Niazi was supposed to become our pollard according to @Major

Irfan has already surpassed I think the highest score by any Karachi player so far in this tournament. Or at least the top guns like Shakeel Saim

 

[Rana]

For the first time it feels like I’m watching standard ODI cricket with this partnership

 

[Rana]

Proper knock that by Khushi

Best I’ve seen of him for quite some time

 

[Rana]

So just to question the captaincy here…

Zahid had this team on locks in his initial spell. Why take him off and bring him back with the pressure completely released?

 

[Rana]

Wow

What a hit by Khushi

 

[Ahmed216]

Rizwan is such a good outfielder. Could easily have played as batsman with Sarfraz as captain. Would have saved us a lot of embarassment

 

[Ahmed216]

Only khushdil can play 3 shots on 1 ball

 

[Rana]

This is the best innings of the tournament so far by Khushi

Guy is a different player when he is switched on from ball 1 at the crease

 

[mominsaigol]

Rizwan is such a good outfielder. Could easily have played as batsman with Sarfraz as captain. Would have saved us a lot of embarassment

He did during early days, it's just he was rubbish. And sarfi should have only captained till 2023. He shpuld not be playing now in 2024 at his age.

Rizwan is the most improved player from 2015 to 2024 and understandably so given the push and support he's been given.

However when you've had the world give you its oyster then fans expect solid results, He should have been an atg by now with so much support.

But for some reason where shehzad and Umar akmal were constantly clowned on for drama bazi and attitude, Rizwan is celebrated for it on end deapite being medicore.

It's hilarious considering shehzad was a superior test batter then rizwan, and UA in his prime was a better whiteball batter.

 

[Ahmed216]

That was a class hit from Niazi

 

[RidiculousMan]

Without Naseem and Akif. Markhors bowling attack look toothless. Dahani has not looked really good either in this tournament.

 

[mominsaigol]

He did during early days, it's just he was rubbish. And sarfi should have only captained till 2023. He shpuld not be playing now in 2024 at his age.

Rizwan is the most improved player from 2015 to 2024 and understandably so given the push and support he's been given.

However when you've had the world give you its oyster then fans expect solid results, He should have been an atg by now with so much support.

But for some reason where shehzad and Umar akmal were constantly clowned on for drama bazi and attitude, Rizwan is celebrated for it on end deapite being medicore.

It's hilarious considering shehzad was a superior test batter then rizwan, and UA in his prime was a better whiteball batter.

The funny thing is, If fakhar was given the exact same support aka the reassurance that's he's undroppable, Made all format opener, and a total license to play however he wants regardless of form, He'd have turned into the next Saeed Anwar by now or perhaps even better considering the insanely long match winning innings he can play.

We'd have a future atg by now

 

[Rana]

Proper pumping this

 

[Rana]

Without Naseem and Akif. Markhors bowling attack look toothless. Dahani has not looked really good either in this tournament.

But they have the greatest captain in cricket who can inspire mediocres like Dahani and Imran to bowl like Steyn and Morkel

 

[Rana]

123 runs off 69 balls

Mate how do you let this partnership happen between Khushi and Niazi

 

[Rana]

Feels like Babar Azam’s captaincy again

 

[Rana]

Niazi playing alright here

 

[RidiculousMan]

Nice to see Irfan Niazi working on his power game. Always thought that's the thing lacking in him if he is to become a successful middle and lower middle order batter.

 

[Rana]

Salman Butt recons Dahani is some Rabada level bowler

Mate this guy was lined up and deleted by England when they toured for the 7 T20i series

Need to be realistic about the abilities of our bowlers

 

[Josh]

Poor captaincy from Rizwan