FAISALABAD: Strikers, led by Natalia Parvaiz, edged Stars by one run in a thrilling final of the National Women’s T20 Tournament at Iqbal Stadium here on Monday, defending their modest total of 115. Stars fell agonisingly short despite Sadaf Shamas’ 37 and Diana Baig’s unbeaten 16.
Fast bowler Syeda Masooma Zahra held her nerve in the final over, defending 11 runs and restricting Stars to four runs off the last ball as Strikers completed an unbeaten run through the tournament, winning all nine of their matches.
Off-spinner Rameen Shamim was the pick of the bowlers, returning figures of two for nine in her four overs. Fellow off-spinner Omaima Sohail also bowled economically, conceding just 11 runs in four overs while claiming one wicket.
After winning the toss and opting to bat, Strikers made a brisk start through Eman Naseer (20 off 12 balls, four fours) and Aqsa Habib, who put on 27 for the opening wicket.
However, they lost five wickets for 58 runs before captain Natalia steadied the innings with a top score of 30 off 31 balls, including one four.
Huraina Sajjad contributed 16 off 10 balls, while Rameen added 15 off 16 deliveries as Strikers were dismissed for 115 in 19 overs.
Leg-spinner Hafsa Khalid claimed four wickets for 29 runs, her second four-wicket haul of the tournament, while Stars captain Tuba took two wickets for 17 runs in her four overs. Diana also picked up two wickets for 23 runs, dismissing Najiha Alvi and Eman.
In reply, Sadaf, named the tournament’s best batter, anchored the Stars innings as wickets fell at the other end. She scored 37 off 38 balls, hitting three fours and two sixes.
Iram Javed (13 off nine balls, three fours) and Hafsa (11 off 16 balls, one four) made useful starts but failed to convert them into substantial contributions. Tuba scored 14 off 13 balls, including two fours, before falling to Rameen.
With Stars struggling at 74-3, the chase faltered further as they slipped to 103-8. Diana kept their hopes alive with an unbeaten 16 off 17 balls, including two fours, striking a boundary off the first ball of the final over.
She and Aqsa Bibi, who remained unbeaten on four off four balls, added 11 runs for the ninth wicket, but the late surge proved insufficient as Stars finished just short of the target.
Aqsa, Zunash Abdul Sattar and Masooma claimed one wicket apiece for Strikers, who held on to seal a dramatic one-run victory.
Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026
