FAISALABAD: Saim Ayub and Mohammad Hasnain ran through Markhors’ batting unit and lifted Panthers to book the table-toppers on a meagre total in the Qualifier 1 of the Champions One-Day Cup here at Iqbal Stadium on Tuesday.

Markhors’ captain Mohammad Rizwan’s decision to bat first backfired as their batters skittled against a disciplined Panthers’ bowling attack and could accumulate 137 runs before being bundled out in 37 overs. Young pacer Ali Raza gave Panthers a head start with the ball as he got Haseebullah (3) caught behind on the second delivery of the second over. In-form Mohammad Hasnain then capitalized on the start provided by Raza and struck thrice in quick succession to leave Markhors reeling at 25/4 in 6.5 overs.

Following the early debacle, Iftikhar Ahmed and Salman Ali Agha launched a recovery with a cautious fifth-wicket partnership. The duo had settled down, having scored 67 runs for the fifth wicket but had a disappointing end to their stand as Iftikhar was run out. Iftikhar scored 39 off 61 balls, hitting three fours and a six. Saim Ayub then ran through Markhors’ lower middle order with a five-wicket haul.  The table-toppers lost their remaining five wickets for just 35 runs and were eventually bundled out in 37 overs.

Salman Ali Agha remained the top-scorer for Markhors with a gutsy half-century, scoring 52 off 81 deliveries, laced up with four fours and a six. Saim Ayub was the standout bowler for the Panthers, returning brilliant figures of 5/24, followed by Hasnain’s 3/25 while Raza made one scalp.