Markhors secured a commanding 126-run win against Stallions, with Zahid Mahmood's stunning five-wicket performance playing a key role. Chasing a modest target of 232—the lowest in the tournament so far—Stallions crumbled from 79 for 2 to being bowled out for just 105, losing their final eight wickets for a mere 26 runs. Earlier, half-centuries from Iftikhar Ahmed and Salman Agha helped Markhors cross the 200-run mark, setting the stage for their bowlers to maintain the team's undefeated streak.
At the outset, Stallions looked poised to become the first team to successfully chase down a target in the tournament. Shan Masood and Babar Azam were cruising through the powerplay, with Babar dominating Shahnawaz Dahani by smashing five boundaries in a single over, pushing the team's score to 50 within nine overs. However, the game took a sudden turn when Masood dragged a slightly low delivery from Naseem Shah onto his stumps.
The tide shifted quickly as Naseem, visibly charged, sent Masood back to the pavilion in a manner that didn’t sit well with him. The momentum shifted decisively, and shortly after, both Tayyab Tahir and Babar Azam fell before the 15th over. Stallions' progress was stifled by Mahmood's spin, aided by Salman Agha, with Captain Mohammad Haris dismissed soon after. The last eight wickets tumbled in just 53 balls, turning what had seemed like an easy chase into a dramatic collapse and heavy defeat for Stallions.
Markhors’ captain Mohammad Rizwan, following the trend of teams opting to bat first, chose to take the first strike after winning the toss. Despite regular early dismissals—Jahandad Khan’s 4 for 49 included removing Fakhar Zaman for 20—Markhors managed to stabilise. Rizwan made a solid start but couldn't convert it into a big score, leaving Markhors at a precarious 38 for 3. However, three consecutive 50-run partnerships rescued them from the early trouble. Nevertheless, a late-innings collapse saw the last five wickets fall for just 10 runs, with Mehran Mumtaz and Jahandad tearing through the lower order.
Though Markhors' final total appeared below par, their bowlers ensured it was more than enough, dismantling Stallions' lineup to secure a comprehensive victory.