[Watch] Naseem Shah Strikes Early For Rizwan’s Markhors In Pakistan's Champions Cup
Naseem Shah got the new-ball swinging for Markhors (x.com)
Pakistan paceman Naseem Shah got the new ball swinging for Markhors in the opening match of the Champions One-Day Cup 2024 season. Defending 348 runs for a win, the speedster trapped opener Abdul Bangalzai in just the second over of his spell and the third over of the innings to trigger a colossal top-order collapse in the Panthers run-chase.
Naseem Shah sieges Panthers top-order with early swing
Defending 348 runs for a win in the opening match of the Champions One-Day Cup 2024, Markhors new-ball fast bowler Naseem Shah snuck in early wickets for his team with the new-ball. In just the second over of his opening spell, the speedster trapped Panthers opener Abdul Bangalzai on the leg stump in the run-chase.
Bangalzai’s early four-ball departure ensured that the Panthers slipped to 22-1 in 2.3 overs.
Naseem Shah also dismissed Usman Khan and Haider Ali in successive overs later in his opening spell itself to seal figures of 3-27 from five overs with the new ball. His pace partner Akif Javed also struck twice in the first 10 overs of the Panthers innings by removing Pakistan internationals Saim Ayub and Shadab Khan.
Shah and Javed’s collective new-ball blitz reduced Panthers to 52-6 by the end of the opening 10-over period.
What Happened In The Pakistan's One Day Cup 2024 Opener?
Earlier in the match, Markhors batted first and amassed 347-6. Number three batter Kamran Ghulam mounted his seventh List A ton by scoring 115 runs from just 102 deliveries with 12 boundaries and three towering sixes. Captain Mohammad Rizwan also launched three maximums in his fiery 45-run knock, while Iftikhar Ahmed (57* off 44) and Abdul Samad (62 off 25) blasted dazzling half-centuries at the death.