KARACHI: PCB Strikers secured a five-wicket victory against PCB Dynamites in their third-place playoff of the Women’s Pakistan Cup at the Oval Academy Ground here on Tuesday.

After being inserted into bat by Strikers skipper Kainat Imtiaz, the Dynamites rode on a brilliant century from Pakistan all-rounder Aliya Riaz to post 198-8 in the stipulated 50 overs.

Aliya hit up 101 off 113 deliveries while striking six fours and two sixes. She was ably supported by Nashra Sandhu (34). Coming together at 68-5, Aliya and Nashra added 92 for the sixth wicket.Spinner Umme Hani was the pick of the Strikers’ bowling with excellent analysis of 3-27 in 10 overs.

The Strikers encountered no major hiccups during the chase as they got over the line with 18 balls to spare while losing five wickets.Hafsa Khalid, who was declared joint player-of-the-match with Aliya, slammed nine boundaries in a 110-ball knock of 64.

Opener Jaweria Rauf also batted well to score 39 that included four fours while spinners Ghulam Fatima (2-25 in 10 overs) and Sadaf Shams (2-45).

Meanwhile, at the time of filing this report, PCB Challengers were competing against PCB Blasters in the day-night final.

Summarised scores:

PCB DYNAMITES 198-8 in 50 overs (Aliya Riaz 101, Nashra Sandhu 34, Muneeba Ali 23; Umme Hani 3-27); PCB STRIKERS 204-5 in 47 overs (Hafsa Khalid 64 not out, Jaweria Rauf 39, Yusra Amir 27, Ayesha Zafar 23; Ghulam Fatima 2-25, Sadaf Shams 2-45).

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2021