Sidra leads Dynamites to third straight win

LAHORE: Dynamites captain Sidra Amin made 95 off 100 balls to help her side to their third straight win in the Pakistan Cup Women’s Cricket Tournament as they beat Blasters by 78 runs at the State Bank Ground on Monday.

The right-hander struck 13 fours and stitched a 130-run partnership for the second wicket with Bismah Maroof, who made 95-ball 65 (hitting two fours and a six). The two came together when Khadija Chishti was out caught and bowled for five by Diana Baig with 23 runs on board.

Sidra and Bismah now lead the tournament batting charts with 195 runs at 97.50 and 94 runs at 94, respectively. The partnership pushed back Blasters bowlers and propelled Dynamites to 214 for four in 45 overs. Diana and Saba Nazir picked up two wickets each.

Blasters were all out for 136 in 37.3 overs as off-spinner Rameen Shamim took three wickets for 25, while Nashra Sundhu, Ghulam Fatima and Maham Manzoor picked up two wickets each. Blasters captain Muneeba Ali top-scored with 33 and opener Ayesha Zafar made 30.

Fatima, the leg-spinner, has the most wickets in the tournament with eight scalps at 7.88. Diana Baig and Aliya Riaz follow her with six and five wickets, respectively. Challengers, who are yet to win a match, will play Blasters on Wednesday.

Scores in brief:

Dynamites beat Blasters by 78 runs

Dynamites 214-4, 45 overs (Sidra Amin 95, Bismah Maroof 65, Aliya Riaz 21; Saba Nazir 2-36, Diana Baig 2-37)

Blasters 136 all out, 37.3 overs (Muneeba Ali 33, Ayesha Zafar 30; Rameen Shamim 3-25, Maham Manzoor 2-17, Nashra Sundhu 2-28, Ghulam Fatima 2-28)

Player of the match – Sidra Amin (Dynamites)