LAHORE: Women’s cricket in Pakistan touched new heights when a record 466 runs were scored in the sixth match of the National Women’s T20 between Conquerors and Challengers at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground on Tuesday.

Conquerors, batting first, posted 241 for five before defending champions Challengers replied with 225 for six, losing by 16 runs. In the other match at the Bagh-e-Jinnah, Stars defeated Strikers by 54 runs.

The highlight of the Conquerors-Challengers match was the all-round performance of Pakistan captain Fatima Sana and a breezy century from Eyman Fatima.

Batting first, Conquerors posted 241 for five with Fatima Sana blazing 91 not out off just 33 balls, including 10 fours and six sixes. Fatima had played a similar innings in the first T20I against South Africa last month, when she scored a 41-ball 90 with nine fours and seven sixes.

Fatima dominated an unfinished fifth-wicket partnership of 112 with Hafsa Khalid, who contributed 23 not out. From the top order, Ayesha Zafar struck a 22-ball 57 with nine fours and two sixes, while opener Komal Khan scored 39 off 18 balls with six fours and a six.

For the Challengers, Arijah Haseeb took two for 42.

In reply, the Challengers fought gallantly, finishing at 225 for six on the back of a brilliant century from Eyman Fatima. Eyman scored 112 off 57 balls with 14 fours and five sixes.

She was well supported by Sidra Nawaz, who scored 60 off 32 balls with nine fours and a six. Natalia Pervaiz was the other notable contributor with a 17-ball 39, including six fours and two sixes. Natalia and Eyman added 153 for the third wicket after the defending champions had slipped to 51 for two.

Fatima Sana then followed up her 91 not out with three for 33 to walk away with the Player of the Match award.

In the Stars-Strikers match at Bagh-e-Jinnah, Stars batted first and posted 158 for six, with Sidra Amin top-scoring with a 38-ball 62 including seven fours and two sixes. Kaynat Hafeez (31) and Samina Aftab (20) were the other main contributors.

In reply, Strikers were dismissed for 104 in 17.5 overs. Laiba Mansoor claimed three for 18, while Aleesa Mukhtiar and Sharmin Nadeem took two wickets each, conceding 14 and 19 runs respectively.

For the Strikers, No.9 batter Fatima Khan was the top-scorer with 25.

Scores in brief:

Match 5 – Stars beat Strikers by 54 runs, Bagh-e-Jinnah

STARS 158-6, 20 overs (Sidra Amin 62 not out, Kaynat Hafeez 31, Samina Aftab 20; Umm-e-Hani 2-20, Quratulain 2-44)

STRIKERS 104 all-out, 17.5 overs (Fatima Khan 25, Laiba Mansoor 3-18, Aleesa Mukhtiar 2-14, Neha Nadeem 2-19)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Sidra Amin (Stars)

MATCH 6 – Conquerors beat Challengers by 16 runs, Ghani Glass Cricket Ground

CONQUERORS 241-5, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 91 not out, Ayesha Zafar 57, Komal Khan 39, Hafsa Khalid 23 not out; Arijah Haseeb 2-42)

CHALLENGERS 225-6, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 112, Sidra Nawaz 60, Natalia Pervaiz 39; Fatima Sana 3-33)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Fatima Sana (Conquerors)

THURSDAY’S FIXTURES: Stars v Invincibles, Bagh-e-Jinnah; Strikers v Conquerors, Ghani Glass