Hussain Talat’s brilliant knock combined with Shoaib Malik's all-round performance powered Stallions to a 12-run win over Lions at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
After being asked to bat first, Haris-led Stallions posted a total of 162/5 in their 20 overs.
Opening batter Shamyl Hussain was dismissed cheaply for just four runs from three deliveries in the very first over.
The Stallions' woes continued after Yasir Khan was run out for a duck, leaving the team struggling at 21/2 after just 2.1 overs.
However, a vital 41-run partnership between Maaz Sadaqat and captain Mohammad Haris stabilized the innings.
Sadaqat contributed 32 runs from 29 balls, which included five boundaries, before being dismissed by Faisal Akram.
Haris, who also scored 25 runs off 18 balls, including two fours and a six, was dismissed in the ninth over by Musa Khan.
Hussain Talat and Shoaib Malik then came together, rescuing the Stallions with an 88-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Talat played an exceptional knock, remaining unbeaten on 51 from 36 balls, including five boundaries.
Malik was dismissed for 39 runs off 30 balls, with three boundaries, as the Stallions finished their innings at a competitive 162/5.
Musa Khan was the pick of the bowlers for the Lions, claiming 2/31 in his four-over spell, while Aamir Yamin and Faisal Akram each took one wicket.
During the chase, the Lions dealt an early blow when opener Zeeshan Malik was dismissed for a duck on the third ball of the very first over.
Despite this, Imam ul Haq and Hasan Nawaz revived the innings with a solid 71-run partnership for the second wicket.
Nawaz contributed 30 runs off 25 balls, including three fours and a six, but was dismissed by Shoaib Malik. Skipper Imam played a valiant knock of 43 runs off 28 balls, with four boundaries and a six, before falling to Usman Tariq.
The Lions’ chase faltered further with the dismissals of Rohail Nazir (3) and Awais Zafar (3), leaving them at 97/5 in the 13th over.
Despite a late fight from Khushdil Shah and Aamir Yamin, who added 44 runs for the sixth wicket, the Lions couldn’t recover.
Shah was dismissed for 28, and although Yamin remained unbeaten on 27, the Lions were all out for 150/8 in their allotted 20 overs, falling short by 12 runs.
The Stallions’ bowlers were superb, with Shoaib Malik, Zaman Khan, and Usman Tariq each taking two wickets, while Mohammad Ali picked up one.
The veteran all-rounder was named player of the match for his exceptional performance.
