KARACHI: Nahida Khan’s second consecutive half-century lead Dynamites to their first win of the T20 Women’s Cricket Tour­nament the LCCA Ground in Lahore in Tuesday.

The opener smashed 51 in her 36-ball knock — studded with seven fours — to help Dynamites post 137-8, a target which their opponents Challengers eventually fell 12 runs shy of. Nahida was involved in an 80-run partnership with her opening partner Gull Feroza, who hit three boundaries in her a run-a-ball 33.

For Challengers, Anoosha Nasir was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets at the expense of 24 runs. Ano­o­sha’s effort didn’t get much support from her team’s batters, who could only manage 125-5 in 20 overs.

The best batting performance for the Challengers was Dua Majid’s 39-ball 41, which included five fours. Challengers captain Oma­i­ma Sohail scored 28 off 21.

In the other match of the day, Strikers beat Blasters by eight wickets at the Lahore Gymkhanam, thanks to Iram Javed’s half-century.

The Pakistan international bludgeoned 54 off 33 balls to help Strikers chase down a formidable 142-run target, losing just two wickets in the process.

Strikers openers Muneeba Ali and Javeria Rauf were key in providing Iram the platform to shine with a 50-run partnership. Follo­wing Muneeba’s departure after the left-hander hit five fours and a six in her 33-ball 38, Javeria and Iram combined for 59 runs for the second wicket.

Javeria’s contribution was a 34-ball 43, which featured six fours. Iram hit four sixes and a boundary in her innings.

Earlier, Blasters posted 141-8, thanks to Shawal Zulfiqar’s 41-ball 36, with the opener hitting five fours. Blasters captain Fatima Sana remained undefeated on 34 off 24 with the help of six boundaries.

Summarised scores:

Dynamites beat Challengers by 12 runs

DYNAMITES 137-8 in 20 overs (Nahida Khan 51, Gull Feroza 33; Anoosha Nasir 4-24); CHALLENGERS 125-5 in 20 overs (Dua Majid 41, Omaima Sohail 28, Aliya Riaz 26)

Strikers beat Blasters by eight wickets

BLASTERS 141-8 in 20 overs (Shawal Zulfiqar 36, Fatima Sana 34 not out, Ayesha Naseem 30); STRIKERS 146-2 in 17.5 overs (Iram Javed 54 not out, Javeria Rauf 43, Muneeba Ali 38)

Published in Dawn, December 7th, 2022