KARACHI: Conquerors clinched a direct spot in the National Women’s T20 Tournament final on net run-rate despite losing to Stars in the last round match here at the HPC Oval Ground on Tuesday.

Conquerors ended the league stage with 10 points, tied with Stars but advanced directly into final due to superior net run-rate.

Stars will now face Challengers at the Natioanl Bank Stadium for a spot in the final on Thursday.

Challengers advanced to the qualifier as they secured a staggering 149-run victory over Strikers, propelled by opener Sadaf Shamas’ match-defining 53 off 44 balls, studded with six boundaries.

After being sent in to bat, Challengers posted 168 for the loss of seven wickets, with Yusra Amir (39 off 32) and Gull Rukh (17 not out off 11) adding crucial contributions.

Strikers’ hopes of a top-four finish collapsed as they were bowled out for 91 in 19.5 overs. Only Eyman Fatima (34 off 17) and Noreen Yaqoob (22 off 13) reached double digits.

For Challengers, Rabia Rani bowled an exceptional spell in which she gave away only one run in her four-over quota while claiming three wickets. The 26-year old Rabia bowled three maidens in her sublime spell. Seamer Tasmia Rubab (2-18) also impressed as she removed dismissed Strikers skipper Gull Feroza and well-set batter Eyman.

In the day’s second match, Stars kept their title ambitions alive with a five-wicket win over table-toppers Conquerors.

Chasing 120, Stars rode Huraina Sajjad’s explosive 38 off 23 balls, an innings featuring six fours, and Tuba Hassan’s 26 off 25 to seal victory with 14 balls to spare.

Conquerors, reeling at 36-4 earlier, recovered through Syed Aroob Shah (46 off 35) and Najiha Alvi’s unbeaten 43 off 47, but Tuba’s 2-24 and Anosha Nasir’s 2-18 restricted them to 119 for the loss of seven wickets.

Conquerors on net run rate (0.793) edged Stars (0.493) and Challengers (0.267) to claim pole position, while Strikers ended sixth with six points.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2025