The Panthers continued their winning streak with an 84-run triumph over the Lions, driven by notable innings from Mubasir Khan (90) and Haider Ali (84), along with captain Shadab Khan’s all-round contributions. A crucial 144-run partnership between Mubasir and Haider for the fifth wicket propelled the Panthers to a competitive total of 283. The Lions, despite Imam-ul-Haq’s half-century, faltered in their chase, collapsing from 127 for 3 to 199 all out, as they remain winless in the tournament.
After winning the toss, the Panthers opted to bat first, a strategy that has been successful throughout the tournament. However, early inroads by Sirajuddin and Shaheen Shah Afridi had them reeling at 51 for 4. The middle order, led by Mubasir and Haider, launched a strong recovery, amassing 211 runs for the loss of just one more wicket, taking the Panthers’ total to 283. Though both batsmen fell short of centuries, a late cameo from Shadab helped push the score to a formidable figure before a brief collapse saw them bowled out in under 47 overs.
The Lions’ chase got off to a rocky start, with Mohammad Hasnain removing Sajjad Ali in the very first over. Hasnain’s sharp fielding added further pressure when he ran out Omair Yousuf, leaving the Lions struggling at 44 for 3. Imam-ul-Haq mounted a counterattack, taking on both pace and spin to guide his team to a promising position. However, his dismissal, induced by Shadab and caught by Usman Khan, triggered a swift downfall.
With Usama Mir and Shadab exploiting the Lions' middle order, the batting lineup crumbled, unable to match the Panthers' resistance. Hasnain returned to dismiss Sirajuddin, sealing an emphatic win for the Panthers. The match continued the trend of chasing teams failing to win in the tournament, reinforcing the importance of setting a strong target upfront.