Karachi (SBR):Conquerors and Stars won their opening round matches of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2024-25, which began at the two venues of Karachi on Wednesday afternoon.
At the National Bank Stadium, after opting to bat first, Stars on the back of an unbeaten 89 from skipper Sidra Amin, scored 148 for four in their allotted 20 overs against Strikers. No.3 batter, Sidra’s innings included 14 fours and a six, which came off 57 balls.
Huraina Sajjad returned undefeated on 25 off 30 balls, which included one boundary. The pair of Sidra and Huraina knitted an unbroken 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
In turn, despite an unbeaten half-century by Eyman Fatima (52 not out, 34b, 9x4s, 1x6), who walked in to bat at 46-2, Strikers fell 17 runs short of the target and managed to score 131 for six in 20 overs.
Neelam Mushtaq and Tuba Hassan bagged two wickets apiece for the winning side.
At the Oval Academy Ground, Conquerors scored 145 for nine in 20 overs after batting first against Invincibles. Captain Fatima Sana was the top run-getter, returning undefeated on 85 off 48 balls, which included 12 fours and three sixes.
For Invincibles, left-arm spinner Saima Malik was the most successful bowler, claiming four wickets for 13 runs in four overs.
In reply, Invincibles were restricted to 115 for six in their 20 overs, falling 30 runs short of the target. Muneeba Ali top-scored with a 48-ball 50, which included five fours and a six. No.7 batter Fatima Khan struck five fours in her 33-ball 31 but in vain.
For the winning side, left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu grabbed two wickets for 20 in four overs.
On 8 May, Strikers will face Invincibles at the National Bank Stadium, while Challengers will take on Stars at the Oval Academy Ground. Both matches will begin at 3pm.
Scores in brief:
Match 1: Stars beat Strikers by 17 runs at the National Bank Stadium
Stars 148-4, 20 overs (Sidra Amin 89 not out, Huraina Sajjad 25 not out)
Strikers 131-6, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 52 not out, Aleena Masood 23, Zoofishan Ayyaz 21; Neelam Mushtaq 2-27, Tuba Hassan 2-27)
Player of the match – Sidra Amin (Stars)
Match 2: Conquerors beat Invincibles by 30 runs at the Oval Academy Ground
Conquerors 145-9, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 85 not out, Farzana Farooq 21; Saima Malik 4-13)
Invincibles 115-6, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 50, Fatima Khan 31 not out; Nashra Sundhu 2-20)
Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Conquerors)
