KARACHI: Inspired by a captain’s knock of 87 from Javeria Khan, PCB Challengers outgunned PCB Blasters by 68 runs to clinch the Women’s Pakistan Cup one-day title at the National Stadium here on Tuesday night.

Chasing 211 in the day-night final, the Blasters fell well short of their target when they were dismissed for 142 in the 43rd over. After being 87-1 at one stage, they lost the last night wickets for the addition of just 55 runs.

Omaima Sohail was the top-scorer with 38 (four fours) while Gul Feroza made 34.

The damage was done by spinners Dua Majid (3-29), Anoosha Nasir (2-22) and Saba Nazir (2-24), while seamer Diana Baig also grabbed two wickets.

Earlier, the Challengers collected 210-8 in their 50 overs. Javeria starred by striking six boundaries during her 128-ball innings, which fetched the Pakistan star player-of-the-match award.

Diana provided much needed impetus in the death overs by scoring 25 off 18 balls (three fours, one six), while opener Fareeha Mehmood contributed 34 off 65 balls (four fours).

The winners pocketed a cheque of Rs1 million while the Blasters settled for the runners-up’s prize of Rs500,000.

Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar jointly shared the player-of-the-tournament spoils.

Scores in brief:

PCB CHALLENGERS 210-8 in, 50 overs (Javeria Khan 87, Fareeha Mehmood 34; Saima Malik 2-24); PCB BLASTERS 142 in 42.5 overs (Omaima Sohail 38, Gul Feroza 34; Dua Majid 3-29, Anoosha Nasir 2-22, Saba Nazir 2-24).

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2021