FAISALABAD: Stars completed a tense last-over chase against favourites Invincibles to qualify for the final while Strikers, the other finalists, outclassed Conquerors as the league stage of the National Women’s T20 Tournament concluded in Faisalabad on Friday.

Sadaf Shamas’ unbeaten half-century and a 47-run knock by Iram Javed steered Stars to a seven-wicket victory with four balls to spare after Invincibles posted 140-6 with the help of Eyman Fatima’s fighting half-century.

Invincibles with this loss slipped to third position due to their net run-rate being behind Stars as both the teams accumulated eight points each.

Conquerors also had an outside chance of qualifying but they needed a net run-rate boosting win over the unbeaten Strikers. However, it was not to be. Strikers defended their modest total of 123-6 by restricting Conquerors to 63 in 14.1 overs.

Stars lost the toss to Invincibles but got off to a dream start as they removed Samiya Afsar and skipper Gull Feroza with just one run on the board at the Bohranwali ground. From this juncture, Eyman led the fightback striking 12 fours and three sixes in her 63-ball 85.

Eyman shared a brilliant 115-run stand for the third wicket with Syeda Aroob Shah (29 off 32 balls). Invincibles also benefitted from Sidra Amin’s unbeaten 12 and Shahar Bano’s 11. Diana Baig claimed two wickets for 17 while skipper Tuba took 2-21.

Player-of-the-match Sadaf anchored the chase with a 52-ball 59 not out laced with six fours and two sixes. She lost her opening partner Samina Aftab for 19 before Yusra Amir also departed.

With Stars 61-2, Sadaf and Iram put on 76 runs and did not let Invincibles come back despite leg-spinner Aroob bowling her four overs for only 15 runs and pacer Tasmia Rubab taking 2-19 in three overs. Left-arm wrist-spinner Rida Aslam also picked 1-26.

At the Jawad Club ground, Strikers won their eighth consecutive match in the tournament as they first posted 123-6 on the back of 63 not out from player-of-the-match Najiha Alvi and 36 from Omaima Sohail. Both shared a 56-run stand in the middle. Najiha, who was opening the innings, faced 52 balls and struck eight fours and one six.

Conquerors’ leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima returned an outstanding spell of 4-14 in four overs. In reply, Conquerors folded under pressure as they were dismissed for a dismal 63 in 14.1 overs with only opening duo of Ravail Farhan (22) and Aliya Riaz (13) entering double figures.

Omaima, Neelam Mushtaq, Tania Saeed and Rameen Shamim picked up two wickets each.

Brief scores:

Stars bt Invincibles by seven wickets.

INVINCIBLES 140-6 in 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 85, Syeda Aroob Shah 29; Diana Baig 2-17, Tuba Hassan 2-21); STARS 144-3 in 19.2 overs (Sadaf Shamas 59 not out, Iram Javed 47; Tasmia Rubab 2-19)

Strikers bt Conquerors by 60 runs.

STRIKERS 123-6 in 20 overs (Najiha Alvi 63 not out, Omaima Sohail 36; Ghulam Fatima 4-14); CONQUERORS 63 in 14.1 overs (Ravail Farhan 22; Omaima Sohail 2-4, Neelam Mushtaq 2-7, Tania Saeed 2-10, Rameen Shamim 2-15).

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2026