Champions One-Day Cup: Dolphins Defeat Lions by 16 Runs

• Champions One-Day Cup 2024 Playoff Phase: Dolphins Overtake Lions.
• Dolphins advance to the playoff phase after defeating Shaheen Afridi’s Lions.
• Dolphins overcome Khushdil-Shaheen scare for consolation win

FAISALABAD: Saud Shakeel’s Dolphins advanced to the playoff phase of the Champions One-Day Cup 2024 after defeating Shaheen Afridi’s Lions by 16 runs in a thrilling encounter at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, on Sunday.

The Lions, chasing a daunting target of 327 runs, fell short at 310/8 in their 50 overs. Despite valiant efforts by Rohail Nazir, who scored 62 off 70 balls, and Mohammad Taha, who added 40 off 49, the Lions couldn’t overcome the Dolphins’ total. Other contributors included Abdullah Shafique (27), Omair Yousuf (26), and Sharoon Siraj (25), but they couldn’t steer their side to victory. Khushdil Shah (60) and captain Shaheen Afridi (33) fought hard toward the end, but the chase ultimately fell short.

For the Dolphins, skipper Saud Shakeel and Abbas Afridi were the standout bowlers, each taking two wickets, while Mir Hamza, Sufiyan Muqeem, Faheem Ashraf, and Qasim Akram chipped in with one wicket apiece.

Earlier, the Dolphins, after winning the toss and opting to bat, posted 326 before being bowled out. Umar Amin top-scored with 75 off 81 balls, supported by Muhammad Akhlaq’s 52 and Mohammad Huraira’s 47. Contributions from lower-order batsmen, including Qasim Akram’s 31 and Faheem Ashraf’s quickfire 30 off 20 balls, helped the Dolphins reach a competitive total.

For the Lions, Aamir Jamal took three wickets, while Shaheen Afridi and Ahmed Daniyal picked up two each. Khushdil Shah and Sharoon Siraj grabbed one wicket apiece, but it wasn’t enough to stop the Dolphins from securing a crucial victory.

Playing XI

Dophins: Sahibzada Farhan, Muhammad Hurraira, Muhammad Akhlaq (wk), Umar Amin, Saud Shakeel (c), Asif Ali, Qasim Akram, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Mir Hamza, and Sufiyan Muqeem

Lions: Abdullah Shafique, Sharoon Siraj, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Taha, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Aamer Jamal, Rohail Nazir (wk), Mohammad Asghar, Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Ahmed Daniyal

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