Ayesha, Eyman Guide Challengers To Win Despite Aliya’s Unbeaten Century

GRC Staff

LAHORE: Aliya Riaz stroked an unbeaten century but still ended up on the losing side as the Challengers defeated the Strikers by five wickets in the National Women’s One-Day Tournament at the Jawad Cricket Club Ground in Faisalabad on Saturday.

Aliya, who had scored 97 in the previous match in a winning cause, remained 101 not out from 107 balls with six fours and four sixes. In a fourth-wicket partnership with Nashra Sundhu, she added 174 runs to lift the Strikers from 34 for four to 208 for four. Nashra returned unbeaten on 50 from 103 balls with four fours.

However, Ayesha Zafar scored 83 (101b, 7×4, 1×6), EymanFatima made 59 not out (68b, 8×4, 1×6), and Sadaf Shamascontributed 44 (42b, 8×4) to help the Challengers chase down the target for the loss of five wickets in 43.4 overs.

In the other match of the day, the Conquerors defeated the Invincibles by 38 runs at the HPC Ground.

Batting first, the Conquerors were dismissed for 244, with openers Saira Jabeen and Gull Feroza scoring half-centuries while putting on 124 for the first wicket. Saira top-scored with 88 from 113 balls with 12 fours, while Gull’s 61-ball 64 included eight fours. Ayesha Bilal was the other notable contributor with 29.

In reply, the Invincibles were bowled out for 206 in 44.4 overs, with Saima Malik claiming three for 31 and Ayesha Bilal following her earlier 29 with three for 46. Umm-e-Hani took two for 40.

For the Invincibles, Natalia Parvaiz played well for her 71-ball 66 with nine fours, while opener Muneeba Ali struck a 62-ball 51 with eight fours.

Scores in brief:

Match 9 – Challengers beat Strikers by five wickets, Jawad Club Ground

STRIKERS 208-4, 50 overs (Aliya Riaz 101 not out, NashraSundhu 50 not out; Rameen Shamim 2-14)

CHALLENGERS 209-5, 43.4 overs (Ayesha Zafar 83, Eyman Fatima 59, Sadaf Shamas 44; Mahnoor Aftab 3-25)

Match 10 – Conquerors beat Invincibles by 38 runs, HPC Ground, Faisalabad

CONQUERORS 244 all-out, 49.2 overs (Saira Jabeen 88, Gull Feroza 64, Ayesha Bilal 29; Tasmia Rubab 2-38, Momina 2-40, Laiba Mansoor 2-43, Ayesha Rehman 2-46)

INVINCIBLES 206 all-out, 44.4 overs (Natalia Parvaiz 66, Muneeba Ali 51, Sana Urooj 21; Saima Malik 3-31, Ayesha Bilal 3-46, Um-e-Hani 2-40)