Basma Maruf’s unbeaten half-century helped Lahore win a close match against Karachi in the National Women’s T20 tournament at the Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium on Monday.
In reply to Lahore’s 149-5 in 20 overs, Karachi fell just 9 runs short, managing 140-6 in reply. Bisma (54 not out), with an unbeaten half-century, was the top scorer for Lahore and was also named Man of the Match. Ayesha Zafar (17 not out) was the other partner with the bat as the team posted 5-149 in 20 overs.
Aroub took two wickets while Fatima, Maham and Ramin took one wicket each. With both the openers dismissed inside the powerplay, Karachi got off to a torrid start to the chase. Jawaria Khan fell victim to Fatima Khan for just two runs and Muniba Ali (6) was caught off Nida’s ball.
Umaima Sohail and Yasra Amir put on a 32-run partnership for the third wicket and showed a glimpse of stability in the chase. Aram brought the Karachi captain to the crease by running out Yasra (16).
Fatima and Umaima added 55 runs for the fourth wicket to give momentum to the innings. Left-arm spinner Nashra Sindhu ended the partnership by shaking the stumps of Fatima, who returned after 28 in 22 with five fours.
Shortly after, Aroub (6) was caught by Iram off Noreen Yaqoob and Ghulam Fatima trapped Umeema (46) at the leg-beaver wicket. Fatima Khan, Nada, Nashra, Noreen, and Ghulam Fatima dismissed one player each. Brief score: Lahore beat Karachi by nine runs at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium: Lahore 149-5, 20 overs (Basma Maruf 54 not out, Sudra Amin 41, Ayesha Zafar 17 not out.
