The National Women’s T20 final will be a clash between the defending champions and the tournament’s form side. Stars booked their place with a seven-wicket win over Invincibles on Friday, setting up an October 26 final against Strikers at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
Sadaf Shamas led the chase with an unbeaten 59 as Stars hunted down 141 with four balls to spare at Bohranwali Ground. Strikers, meanwhile, stayed perfect with their eighth straight win, crushing Conquerors by 60 runs.
Sadaf, Iram guide Stars into National Women’s T20 final
Invincibles posted 140 for six after a shaky start. They lost openers Samiya Afsar and captain Gull Feroza with just one run on the board before Eyman Fatima steadied the innings with a 63-ball 85, studded with 12 fours and three sixes. She shared a 115-run stand for the third wicket with Syeda Aroob Shah, who made 29.
Diana Baig took two wickets for 17 runs, while Stars captain Tuba Hassan claimed two for 21 to keep Invincibles in check.
Stars lost Samina Aftab for 19 and Yusra Amir early in the chase, but Sadaf and Iram Javed added 76 runs to put their side firmly on course. Sadaf’s unbeaten 59 came off 52 balls with six fours and two sixes, and Iram’s 47 ensured Stars finished on 144 for three in 19.2 overs.
The result left Stars level on eight points with Invincibles. Stars advanced to the final on net run rate, while their opponents slipped to third place.
Strikers stay perfect against Conquerors
At Jawad Club Ground, Strikers kept their unbeaten record intact. Player of the match Najiha Alvi struck an unbeaten 63 off 52 balls to lift Strikers to 123 for six in their 20 overs. Omaima Sohail added 36, and the pair shared a 56-run partnership.
Conquerors leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima took four wickets for 14 runs, but her side folded in reply. They were bowled out for 63 in 14.1 overs. Ravail Farhan top-scored with 22, while Aliya Riaz made 13. Omaima, Neelam Mushtaq, Tania Saeed and Rameen Shamim took two wickets apiece.
Strikers, led by Natalia Pervaiz, have now won all eight of their matches in the tournament.
A final with history on both sides
The National Women’s T20 final pairs the defending champions against the only unbeaten team in the competition. Stars won last year’s edition by beating Invincibles in the final, also in Faisalabad. This time they must stop a Strikers side that has not put a foot wrong.
For Pakistani women’s cricket, the tournament continues to matter. It feeds directly into national selection, and several players on show, including Fatima Sana and Eman Naseer of Strikers and Gull Feroza and Eyman Fatima of Invincibles, are in the country’s recent international squads.
The final takes place on October 26 at Iqbal Stadium. The winners will collect PKR 1.5 million and the runners-up PKR one million.
It has been a strong week for Pakistani sport beyond cricket too, with Noor Zaman reaching a squash quarter-final and Pakistan’s T20 side in action against New Zealand.
Domestic red-ball cricket also reaches its climax soon, with the President’s Trophy finalists confirmed earlier this week.
Frequently asked questions
When is the National Women’s T20 final?
The final between Stars and Strikers will be played on October 26 at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.
Who are the finalists?
Stars, the defending champions led by Tuba Hassan, face Strikers, led by Natalia Pervaiz, who have won all eight of their tournament matches.
How did Stars reach the final?
Stars beat Invincibles by seven wickets, chasing 141 in 19.2 overs thanks to Sadaf Shamas’s unbeaten 59 and Iram Javed’s 47, and advanced on net run rate.
