KARACHI: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) rode on a century stand between Javeria Khan and Muneeba Ali on their way to winning the second Inter-departmental T20 Women’s Cricket Championship with a 17-run win over State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in Islamabad on Friday.

After losing the toss and put into bat in the final at the Diamond Club Ground, ZTBL reached 171-6 on the back of a first-wicket partnership of 108 between Javeria (64 off 37 balls, 12 boundaries) and Muneeba (run-a-ball 35, six fours).Bismah Maroof, who is the Pakistan skipper, contributed a quickfire 15-ball 28 with the help of four hits to the fence. Seamer Maham Tariq captured two wickets for 26 runs.

SBP, despite their best efforts, ended up totalling 154-6. Javeria Rauf was the top-scorer with an undefeated 55 from 50 deliveries while hitting seven boundaries. Iram Javed struck a breezy 32 off 30 balls with two sixes and a four, while Aliya Riaz contributed a hurricane 10-ball 26, laced with three fours and a brace of sixes. Almas Akram and Maham Manzoor grabbed two wickets apiece for 31 and 34 runs, respectively.

Javeria Khan was later declared the player-of-the-final as well as the player-of-the-tournament for her tally of 240 runs. Wasim Khan, the PCB managing director, later awarded the winners’ trophy and other prizes.

Summarised scores:

ZTBL 171-6 in 20 overs (Javeria Khan 64 retired hurt, Muneeba Ali 35, Bismah Maroof 28; Maham Tariq 2-26); SBP 154-6 in 20 overs (Javeria Rauf 55 not out, Iram Javed 32, Aliya Riaz 26; Almas Akram 2-31, Maham Manzoor 2-34).

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2019