ISLAMABAD: Lahore beat Quetta, Karachi downed Rawalpindi while Multan outclassed Peshawar in the fourth-round matches of the National Women’s T20 Tournament on Friday.

Lahore maintained their winning streak in the tournament by overhauling a modest 116-run target in 15.1 overs while losing four wickets at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. Captain Nida Dar (38 not out off 23 balls), opener Sidra Amin (34 off 27) and wicket-keeper/batter Sidra Nawaz (26 not out off 21) helped their side to victory.

Earlier after electing to bat first, Quetta women managed to post 115-7 off the allotted 20 overs. Only opener Dua Majid (34 off 23 balls) and Tuba Hassan (36 not out off 36) could offer some resistance. For Lahore, Ghulam Fatima (2-13) and Nashra Sundhu (2-28) were among the main wicket-takers. Nida was named player-of-the-match.

Meanwhile, Karachi won their game against hosts Rawalpindi by 21 runs at Ayub Park Ground.

Karachi, after being invited to bat first, totalled 130 for six off the stipulated overs thanks to useful contributions from openers Muneeba Ali (36 off 33) and Javeria Khan (21 off 24), Yusra Amir (25 off 26) and Syeda Aroob Shah (19 not out off 11). Tania Saeed captured two wickets for 19.

Rawalpindi, after getting a 39-run opening stand, kept losing wickets regularly. They eventually managed to reach only 109 for the loss of nine wickets.

Skipper Fatima Sana, Rameen Shamim, Maham Manzoor, who gave away only three runs in her four overs, and Omaima Sohail picked up two wickets apiece. Maham earned the player-of-the-match award.

Multan simply thumped Peshawar by nine wickets at the Diamond Club Ground in Islamabad.

Peshawar captain Aleena Shah’s decision to bat first backfired badly as her side were shot out for a miserable-looking 57 in 17.1 overs. Only Salwa Raheem (10 not out off 28) got into double figures while batting at number nine position. Ayesha Bilal (3-16) was the prime wicket-taker.

Shahmeer Rajput (2-4 in two overs) and Asma (2-1 in two overs) were the other notable bowlers for Multan.

Multan raced to the target in 11.3 overs with captain Gull Feroza (39 not out off 37) and Saiqa Riaz (17 not out of 25) seeing them home. Ayesha Bilal was given the player-of-the-match award.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2024