KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cruised home to their third successive victory in the second Inter-departmental T20 Women’s Cricket Championship in Islamabad when they easily defeated the Higher Education Commission (HEC) by six wickets on Saturday.

In the day’s other fixture at the Diamond Club Ground, Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) bounced back from their stunning loss against SBP by sealing a comprehensive 63-run victory over the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) XI.

Put into bat, HEX reached only 94-5 in the allotted 20 overs with Khadija Chishty scoring 22 and Saba Nazir an unbeaten 21.

SB, in reply, overhauled that tally by making 95-4 in 14.4 overs. Sidra Amin hit up an unbeaten 33 with her 41-ball innings including four boundaries. Iram Javed struck five fours in making 30 off 23 balls.

ZTBL made good use of winning the toss and batting first as they collected an imposing 192-2. Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof slammed seven boundaries in her 32-ball contribution of 51 not out. Muneeba Ali also made 51 while facing 40 deliveries and striking eight fours.

Javeria Wadood Khan was in aggressive mood as she belted 48 off 29 balls with the aid of eight fours and one six, while Nida Dar provided finishing touches to the total by blasting three fours and a six in an undefeated 20-ball 34.

PCB XI were restricted 129-8 in their chase with Huraina Sajjad contributing a run-a-ball unbeaten 43 (five fours and one six) and Kainat Hafeez 20 off as many deliveries.

Bismah and Fatima Sana grabbed two wickets each.

Saturday’s results:

SBP beat HEC by six wickets.

HEC 94-5 in 20 overs (Khadija Chishty 22, Saba Nazir 21 not out; Hafsa Amjad 2-17); SBP 95-4 in 14.4 overs (Sidra Amin 33 not out, Iram Javed 30).

ZTBL beat PCB XI by 63 runs.

ZTBL 192-2 in 20 overs (Bismah Maroof 51 not out, Muneeba Ali 51, Javeria Wadood Khan 48, Nida Dar 34 not out); PCB XI 129-8 in 20 overs (Huraina Sajjad 43 not out, Kainat Hafeez 20; Bismah Maroof 2-3, Fatima Sana 2-23).

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2019