KARACHI: The PCB Dynamites were left heartbroken on Tuesday when despite sealing victory against the PCB Challengers they failed to qualify for the final of the National Triangular T20 Women’s Championship here at the National Stadium.
After curtailing table-toppers Challengers to 137-7, the Dynamites had to score 138 in 12 overs to up their net run-rate to overtake the PCB Blasters in the final league-round team standings. Once they missed out that target, the Dynamites went for the win, which in the end was of academic interest.
They were eventually home in 19.3 overs after the chase began on a sensational note with the loss of captain Nahida Khan and Kainat Hafeez — both getting out to seamer Aiman Anwar for second-ball ducks — with a single run on the board.
Omaima Sohail and Sidra Amin then combined to share a third-wicket partnership of 72 in 46 deliveries.
Omaima made a brisk 41 off 24 balls while striking five boundaries and Sidra struck eight fours in her 52-ball knock of 68 that won her the player-of-the-mach award.
Aiman (2-23) shared the bowling honours with new-ball partner Fatima Sana (2-27) and off-spinner Aroob Shah (2-23) with all three completing their four-over stints.
Earlier, Muneeba Ali once again was outstanding in her role at the top of the order. The 22-year-old left-hander hammered 68 with her 58-ball punctuated with 10 boundaries. But Muneeba — who scored 50, 108 and 56 in her last three innings — and was the only shining light for the Challengers who limped to 137-7 after their captain Bismah Maroof chose to bat first upon winning the toss.
The final between the Challengers and the Blasters will be played under lights on Thursday.
Brief scores:
PCB CHALLENGERS 137-7 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 68, Hafsa Khalid 18, Ayesha Zafar 14, Fatima Sana 14; Masooma Jaffri 1-10,Kainat Imtiaz 1-25, Diana Baig 1-29, Sana Mir 1-30); PCB DYNAMITES 138-7 in 19.3 overs (Sidra Amin 68, Omaima Sohail 41; Aiman Anwar 2-23, Aroob Shah 2-25, Fatima Sana 2-27). Final standings
(Tabulated under played, won, lost, points, net run-rate):
PCB Challengers 4 2 2 4 +0.600
PCB Blasters 4 2 2 4 +0.124
PCB Dynamites 4 2 2 4 -0.703
Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2020
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