KARACHI: Omar Associates qualified for the final of the third Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Women’s T20 Cricket Challenge Trophy despite losing their last league fixture in Lahore on Saturday.
Higher Education Commission (HEC) drew level on points with both Omar Associates and Saif Sports Saga by virtue of their win over Omar Associates by six wickets. But Omar Associates progressed through on net run-rate by finishing second in the four-team standings.
They would meet unbeaten defending champions Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) in Sunday’s title decider at the Gaddafi Stadium.
After opting to bat first having won the toss, Omar Associates were all out for 96 on the last ball of their innings. Marium Hasan scored 34 off 35 balls with four boundaries. Hina Azam and Iram Javed bagged two wickets each.
Iram then hit an unbeaten 33 (45 balls, four fours) and Aliya Riaz 34 (23 balls, three fours and two sixes) as HEC reached the winning target with eight deliveries left for the loss of four wickets. Shumaila Qureshi bowled well to claim three wickets for 24 runs.
Iram Javed was declared the Player-of-the-Match for her brilliant all-round display.
Meanwhile, the unstoppable ZTBL notched up their third straight triumph as Saif Sports Saga slumped to 82 for 6 in their quota of 20 overs.
After being asked to bat first, ZTBL collected 135-6 with useful knocks from Asmavia Iqbal (34), Marina Iqbal (33) and Javeria Khan (21 not out). Sabiha Zulfiqar was the best of Saif Sports Saga bowlers with figures of three for 16.
Saif Sports Saga, in reply, mustered just 82-6 with Aiman Anwar contributing an undefeated 25 off 41 balls with a solitary boundary.
Qanita Jalil gave away just nine runs in taking two wickets. Asmavia Iqbal was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match.
Summarised scores:Higher Education Commission beat Omar Associates by six wickets.
OMAR ASSOCIATES 96 in 20 overs (Marium Hasan 34, Muneeba Ali 15, Ramin Shamim 15, Umaima Sohail 10; Hina Azam 2-14, Iram Javed 2-16, Fazila Akhlaq 1-13, Aliya Riaz 1-13, Anum Amin 1-16); HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION 98-4 in 18.4 overs (Aliya Riaz 34, Iram Javed 33 not out, Fareeha Pervez 10 not out, Sidra Amin 10; Shumaila Qureshi 3-24, Maham Tariq 1-15).
Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited beat Saif Sports Saga by 53 runs.
ZARAI TARAQIATI BANK LIMITED 135-6 in 20 overs (Asmavia Iqbal 34, Marina Iqbal 33, Javeria Khan 21 not out, Bismah Maroof 14; Sabiha Zulfiqar 3-16, Sumaiya Siddiqui 1-19, Bakhtawar Iqbal 1-24, Aiman Anwar 1-27); SAIF SPORTS SAGA 82-6 in 20 overs (Aiman Anwar 25 not out, Sumaiya Siddiqui 18, Farah Naeem 11; Qanita Jalil 2-9, Sana Mir 1-8, Asmavia Iqbal 1-9, Sadia Yousuf 1-16).