KARACHI: Pakistan star Bismah Maroof struck a magnificent century as Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) overwhelmed the PCB XI by 124 runs in the fourth fixture of the First State Bank Women’s Cricket Championship here on Sunday.

ZTBL’s third straight success in the three-team event at the SBP Sports Complex was set up by Bismah’s scintillating 96-ball knock of 107 as she slammed a dozen boundaries to help the bankers collect 262-5 in the stipulated 50 overs.

Opener Nahida Khan scored 51 off 88 balls with four fours, while Nida Dar contributed a 59-ball unbeaten 53 (three sixes and two fours) as he helped player-of-the-match Bismah put on 98 for the fourth wicket.

Slow left-armer Nashra Sandhu claimed two wickets for 56 runs in her 10 overs.

PCB XI, in reply, managed 138-8 to suffer their third defeat on the trot. Asmavia Iqbal scored a defiant 46 off 70 balls. She added 52 for the fourth wicket with skipper Sidra Bhatti (23) after PCB slumped to 20-3.

Left-arm seamer Samina Ishaq destroyed the top-order batting before finishing with superb analysis of 3-13 in eight overs. Spinner Almas Akram took 2-29 in nine overs.

On Monday, ZTBL will play State Bank in the fifth fixture of the competition.

Summarised scores:

ZTBL 262-5 in 50 overs (Bismah Maroof 107, Nida Dar 53 not out, Nahida Khan 51, Javeria Wadood Khan 17; Nashra Sandhu 2-56); PCB XI 138-8 in 50 overs (Asmavia Iqbal 46, Sidra Bhatti b23; Samina Ishaq 3-17, Almas Akram 2-29).

Published in Dawn September 26th, 2016