LAHORE - Skipper Fatima Sana’s all-round performance led Conquerors to a 31-run victory over Strikers in the ninth round of the Women’s T20 Tournament at the National Bank Stadium on Monday evening.
Fatima remained unbeaten on 41 off just 22 balls, striking three fours and two sixes to power Conquerors to 141/5. She later returned with figures of 3-23, including two key middle-order wickets, as Strikers were restricted to 110/9 in their chase. Conquerors, now at the top of the points table with five wins from seven matches, will take on second-placed Stars in a crucial final round clash on Tuesday. Earlier, Conquerors had a slow start, losing both openers for 29 by the seventh over. Hafsa Khalid (33) and Najiha Alvi (16) steadied the innings with a 46-run partnership before Fatima launched a late assault. With her blazing 41*, she extended her tournament run tally to 335, 15 more than her closest rival, Sidra Amin.
In reply, Strikers started cautiously but lost skipper Gull Feroza early to Humna Bilal. Fatima struck soon after to dismiss Zoofishan Ayyaz, halting their momentum. Spinner Syeda Aroob Shah (3-24) then dismantled the middle order, claiming the prized scalp of Eyman Fatima for a golden duck and reducing Strikers to 56/5. Noreen Yaqoob fought valiantly, scoring an unbeaten 65 off 58 balls with six boundaries and a six. She shared a 45-run sixth-wicket stand with Soha Fatima (14), but lacked support from the other end. Noreen’s efforts went in vain as Strikers fell well short.
In the day’s second match, Challengers edged Invincibles by seven runs in a thrilling contest. Chasing 162, Invincibles were in control at 107/2 before collapsing to 154/7. Ayesha Zafar (49) and Omaima Sohail (39) added 54 runs, but the late-order faltered under pressure.
Earlier, Challengers posted 161/9, with Natalia Pervaiz (47) and Yusra Amir (27) building a solid platform. Player of the Match Natalia also stitched a vital 45-run stand with Aliya Riaz (27), while Rameen Shamim contributed a brisk unbeaten 22. All five Challengers bowlers claimed a wicket each, with Rameen and Rabia Rani finishing with identical figures of 1-23. Challengers now sit third on the table and face a must-win clash against fourth-placed Strikers today (Tuesday).