Skipper Javeria Khan’s 87 helped Challengers overcome Blasters by 68 runs in the day-night final of the Pakistan Cup for Women’s One-Day Tournament played at the National Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday.

Blasters who were set a 211-run target could only muster a 142-run total to hand a comfortable victory to their opponents in the title decider. Blasters who were seemingly on track after reaching 87 for one, endured an astonishing collapse as they lost their last nine wickets for the addition of a mere 55 runs.

Challengers’ spinners Dua Majid (3-29), Anoosha Nasir (2-22) and Saba Nazir (2-24) inspired the collapse with their probing bowling that turned the match on its head. Pacer Diana Baig took two wickets.

Challengers were bowled out in 42.5 overs, leaving 43 balls unused in their chase. Omaima Sohail top-scored with 38 (four fours) while Gul Feroza scored 34 (three fours).

Challengers 210 for eight total revolved around Javeria’s 87 off 128 balls. Batting at number three, the seasoned right-hander hit six fours.

Making full use of her experience, Javeria anchored the innings with great expertise as wickets fell around her. Diana provided much needed impetus to the innings in the death overs by scoring 25 off 18 balls (three fours, one six).

The only other notable contributor for the Challengers was opener Fareeha Mehmood who scored 34 off 65 balls (four fours).

Challengers collected a cheque of PKR1million while Blasters were given a PKR500,000 cheque. Javeria was named the player of the match while Aliya Riaz and Nida Dar jointly shared the player of the tournament spoils.

Strikers secure 3rd position by outplaying Dynamites

Strikers beat Dynamites by five wickets to secure third position in the four-team Pakistan Cup for Women’s One-Day Tournament at the Oval Academy Ground, Karachi on Tuesday.

Aliya Riaz scored a fighting century for the Dynamites but her efforts went in vain as Strikers chased down the 199-run target for the loss of five wickets in 47 overs. Aliya scored 101 off 113 balls (six fours, two sixes).

Dynamites though could not provide her adequate support from the other end as they were restricted to 198 for eight in their allotted 50 overs. Nashra Sandhu scored 34 runs, Sadaf Shams contributed 23. Umme Hani took three wickets for 27 runs.

Strikers chased down the target in 47 overs for the loss of five wickets, Hafsa Khalid top-scored with an unbeaten 64 (seven fours). Jaweria Rauf contributed 39 off 60 balls (four fours). Ghulam Fatima and Sadaf Shams took two wickets each.

Scores in Brief:

Strikers beat Dynamites by five wickets

Dynamites 198 for 8, 50 overs (Aliya Riaz 101, Nashra Sandhu 34; Umme Hani 3-27)

Strikers 204 for 5, 47 overs (Hafsa Khalid 64 not out, Jaweria Rauf 39; Ghulam Fatima 2-25, Sadaf Shams 2-46)

Player of the match: Aliya Riaz & Hafsa Khalid

Challengers beat Blasters by 68 runs

Challengers 210 for 8, 50 overs (Javeria Khan 87, Fareeha Mehmood 34; Saima Malik 2-24)

Blasters 142 all out, 42.5 overs (Omaima Sohail 38, Gul Feroza 34; Dua Majid 3-29, Anoosha Nasir 2-22, Saba Nazir 2-24)

Player of the match: Javeria Khan (Challengers)

Players of the tournament: Aliya Riaz (Dynamites) and Nida Dar (Blasters)

Emerging player of the tournament: Anoosha Nasir (Challengers)