Ayub's brilliant all-round performance and Hasnain's early strikes secure Panthers a spot in the final

The Panthers emerged victorious over the Markhors with a score of 143 for 3, thanks to an unbeaten half-century from Usman (54*) and a solid contribution from Ayub (33). Javed took 1 wicket for 20 runs for the Markhors. In response, the Markhors were bowled out for 137 runs, with Agha top-scoring with 52 runs and Iftikhar adding 39 runs. Ayub was the star performer for the Panthers, taking 5 wickets for 24 runs, while Hasnain chipped in with 3 wickets for 25 runs. The Panthers secured victory by seven wickets in a dominant display over the Markhors.

Mohammad Hasnain and Saim Ayub put in strong performances to take Panthers into the final of the Champions Cup with a seven-wicket win over Markhors. It was also the first win for the chasing team in the tournament.

Batting first after winning the toss, Markhors had a poor start as Ali Raza dismissed Haseebullah Khan in the second over of the game. The real damage, though, was done by Hasnain, who sent back Fakhar Zaman, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Rizwan to leave Markhors on 25 for 4 in the seventh over.

Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed staged a mini-recovery, adding 77 for the fifth wicket but once Iftikhar was run out, Markhors collapsed again, to be all out for 137 in 36 overs. Their unlikely tormentor was Ayub, who picked up 5 for 24 with his part-time legbreaks. It was the first time he took more than two wickets in any form of senior cricket.

Panthers lost Azan Awais early in the chase but Ayub kept them on track with 33 off 36 balls. And even though Ayub and Umar Siddiq fell in quick succession, Usman Khan smashed 54 not out off just 26 balls to take the side home in the 24th over.

Markhors will now face the winner of the first eliminator, between Stallions and Lions, on Friday.