Karachi whip Sialkot as Fatima Jinnah C’ship begins

KARACHI: Karachi began their journey in style when they defeated Sialkot by ten wickets in their opening game of the 12th Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah National Women Cricket Championship at Rana Naved Cricket Academy Ground in Sheikhupura on Monday.

Karachi achieved the 138-run target in 27 overs without losing a wicket. Sana Taj struck unbeaten 79 off 67 balls, hitting 13 fours. Omaima Sohail hit unbeaten 57 off 71 balls, hammering seven fours.

Earlier, Asma Sikandar (26) and Asma Amin (26) guided Sialkot to 137 all out in the 44th over. Mehak Amin got three wickets, while Rida Hussain and Omaima Hussain captured two each.

At Sheikhupura Stadium, Multan overpowered Islamabad by two runs. Multan were folded for 96 in the 35th over with Gulferoza scoring 34. Komal Shaheen captured 4-26.

In response, Islamabad perished for 94 with Madeeha Bibi scoring 17.

Hadia Hussain got 3-22, while Gulnaz Majeed claimed two.

Abbottabad defeated Quetta by eight wickets at Lahore Country Club, Muridke.

Quetta were folded for 53 with Ayesha Asim making unbeaten 22. Rubab Akhtar and Gul Pari got three wickets each.

Abbottabad achieved the target in the 13th over after losing two wickets.

Sana Maqbool scored 24 not out.

Lahore whipped Bahawalpur by 185 runs at Lahore Gymkhana Ground.

Hina Azam (74*) enabled Lahore to score 230-7. Noreen Mubeen got 3-45, while Ruqia Iqbal captured 2-25.

In response, Bahawalpur perished for 45.

Bakhtawar Iqbal and Hina Azam claimed four wickets each.

Rawalpindi beat Peshawar by four wickets at Model Town Academy, Lahore. Peshawar made 135 all out with Salma Faiz blasting 32. Naila Nazir and Sadia Khaliq got three wickets each.

Rawalpindi raced to the target in the 29th over for the loss of six wickets with Madiha Rasheed scoring 56 not out and Naila Nazir making 41. Nosheen Shah got 3-17.

Faisalabad bulldozed Hyderabad by 172 runs at Lahore Country Club Ground (B), Muridke.

Faisalabad posted 267-8 with Farwa Batool (67) and Hira Khan (53) making fifties.

Zakia Gul and Lubna claimed four wickets each.

Hyderabad, in response, perished for 95.