The league-stage of the National Women’s T20 Tournament concluded with Stars qualifying for the final after a tense last-over chase against tournament favorites Invincibles, while the other finalists Strikers outclassed Conquerors in a one-sided affair as action unfolded on Friday across two venues in Faisalabad.
Sadaf Shamas’ unbeaten half-century and Iram Javed’s 47 took Stars over the line with four balls to spare over Invincibles, who had put 140-6 on the board with the help of Eyman Fatima’s 63-ball 85.
With the loss, Invincibles slipped to third position due to their net run rate being behind Stars as both teams had accumulated eight points each.
Conquerors also had an outside chance of qualifying but they needed a net run-rate boosting win over the unbeaten Strikers but it was not to be. Strikers defended their total of 123-6 by restricting Conquerors to 63 in 14.1 overs.
At the Bohranwali Ground, Stars lost the coin toss to Invincibles but got off to a dream start as they removed Samiya Afsar and skipper Gull Feroza with just one run on the board. From this juncture, Eyman took it upon herself to lead the fightback as she struck 12 fours and three sixes in her 63-ball 85.
Eyman shared a brilliant 115-run third-wicket stand with Syeda Aroob Shah (29, 32b, 3x4s). Invincibles also benefitted from Sidra Amin’s unbeaten 10-ball 12 and Shahar Bano’s eight-ball 11. Diana Baig’s four overs yielded two for 17, while skipper Tuba only gave away 21 runs for her two wickets.
In reply, Sadaf Shamas anchored the chase with a 59 not out off 52 balls including six fours and two sixes. She lost her opening partner Samina Aftab for 19 off 15 before Yusra Amir also departed.
With Stars 61-2, Sadaf and Iram put on 76 runs and did not let Invincibles get back in the game despite leg-spinner Aroob bowling her four overs for only 15 runs and left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab taking 2-19 in her three overs. Left-arm wrist-spinner Rida Aslam also picked 1-26 in her four overs. Stars reached the target with four balls to spare.
At the Jawad Club Ground, Strikers won their eighth consecutive match in the tournament as they first posted 123-6 in 20 overs on the back of 63 not out from player of the match Najiha Alvi and 36 from Omaima Sohail (2x4s, 2x6s). Both also shared a 56-run stand in the middle. Najiha, who was opening the innings, faced 52 balls and struck eight fours and one six.
Conquerors’ leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima returned an outstanding spell of 4-14 in her four overs. In reply, Conquerors folded under pressure as they were dismissed for 63 in 14.1 overs with only opening duo of Ravail Farhan (22, 24b, 2x4s, 1×6) and Aliya Riaz (13, 15b, 2x4s) entering double figures.
Omaima, Neelam Mushtaq, Tania Saeed and Rameen Shamim picked up two wickets each.
Match 19 – Strikers beat Conquerors by 60 runs at Jawad Club, Faisalabad
Strikers 123-6, 20 overs (Najiha Alvi 63 not out, Omaima Sohail 36; Ghulam Fatima 4-14)
Conquerors 63 all out, 14.1 overs (Ravail Farhan 22; Omaima Sohail 2-4, Neelam Mushtaq 2-7, Tania Saeed 2-10, Rameen Shamim 2-15)
Player of the match – Najiha Alvi (Strikers)
Match 20 – Stars beat Invincibles by seven wickets at Bohranwali Ground, Faisalabad
Invincibles 140-6, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 85, Syeda Aroob Shah 29; Diana Baig 2-17, Tuba Hassan 2-21)
Stars 144-3, 19.2 overs (Sadaf Shamas 59 not out, Iram Javed 47; Tasmia Rubab 2-19)
Player of the match – Sadaf Shamas (Stars)
