Rawalpindi: Markhors secured their second consecutive win in the ongoing Champions T20 Cup, defeating the Dolphins by two wickets in a thrilling encounter at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
After being asked to bat first, the Dolphins posted a total of 128/9 in their allotted 20 overs.
They suffered an early setback in the very first over when opener Sahibzada Farhan was dismissed for a duck by Akif Javed.
Tahir Baig and Mohammad Akhlaq attempted to stabilize the innings, building a 63-run partnership for the second wicket.
However, the stand was broken when Baig was dismissed for 29 off 28 deliveries by Mohammad Nawaz, leaving the Dolphins at 63/2 in 9.2 overs.
The pressure mounted as Umar Amin (11) fell to Nawaz, reducing the Dolphins to 81/3 in 11.4 overs.
Akhlaq remained steadfast with a 40-run knock off 33 balls, but his dismissal at 87/4 in 13.2 overs further dented the Dolphins' progress.
The lower order faltered, with Qasim Akram (14), Mohammad Suleman (9), and skipper Faheem Ashraf (1) falling cheaply.
Mohammad Nawaz led the bowling attack with stellar figures of 3/28 from his four overs, supported by Akif Javed, who claimed two wickets, while Nisar Ahmad and Mohammad Imran Jr picked up one wicket each.
In reply, the Markhors faced a shaky start. Hard-hitting batter Fakhar Zaman was dismissed for a golden duck on the first ball of the innings.
Mohammad Shahzad (11) and Abdul Samad (1) also fell within the powerplay, leaving the team struggling at 44/3 in 4.2 overs.
Khawaja Nafay took charge, forming a vital 29-run partnership for the fourth wicket with skipper Iftikhar Ahmed.
However, Iftikhar struggled and was dismissed for 5 off 13 balls, leaving the team at 96/5 in 12.2 overs. Sarwar Afridi managed only 13 runs before falling to Faheem Ashraf.
Khawaja Nafay emerged as the standout performer for the Markhors, smashing 68 runs off 41 balls, including four boundaries and four sixes at a strike rate of 165.85.
His explosive innings brought the Markhors to the brink of victory, but he was dismissed with the score at 102/6 in 14 overs.
The pressure increased as Salman Irshad and Qasim Akram struck to dismiss Saad Masood (9) and Nisar Ahmad (0), reducing the Markhors to 125/8 in 17.1 overs.
With just four runs needed, Mohammad Nawaz (18) and Akif Javed (5) held their nerve to seal the chase in 18.5 overs.
Sameen Gul led the Dolphins' bowling with figures of 3/23 in his four-over spell, while Qasim Akram picked up two wickets. Faheem Ashraf and Salman Irshad chipped in with one wicket each.
Khawaja Nafay was named Player of the Match for his incredible, match-winning knock.