LAHORE: Omaima Sohail took four for 12 as Stars beat defending champions Challengers by 39 runs in the opening match of the National Women’s T20 at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground on Friday.

Omaima, who has played 55 T20Is for Pakistan, returned figures of 3-0-12-4 as the Challengers were skittled out for 117 in 17 overs after being set a 157-run target by the Stars.

The Challengers were in a decent position at 98 for three before losing their way, surrendering their last seven wickets for just 19 runs. Natalia Pervaiz was her side’s top scorer with 39, while Sidra Nawaz and Eman Naseer scored 23 runs apiece.

Earlier, Tuba Hassan scored an unbeaten 32-ball 57, featuring two fours and five sixes, to help the Stars post 156 for four. She dominated an unfinished 63-run partnership for the fifth wicket with Huraira Sajjad, who contributed 17 not out.

This followed a solid foundation provided by Kaynat Hafeez (34) and Samina Aftab (33), who put on 53 runs for the second wicket.

Scores in brief:

Match 1 – Stars beat Challengers by 39 runs, Ghani Glass Cricket Ground

STARS: 156-4, 20 overs (Tuba Hasan 57 not out, Kaynat Hafeez 34, Samina Aftab 33; Zunish Abdul Sattar 2-34)

CHALLENGERS: 117 all-out, 17 overs (Natalia Pervaiz 39, Sidra Nawaz 23, Eman Naseer 23; Omaima Sohail 4-12, Aleesa Mukhtiar 2-22)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Tuba Hassan (Stars)

SATURDAY’S FIXTURE: Invincibles vs Strikers, Ghani Glass Cricket Ground (Lahore)