FAISALABAD: Left-arm spinner Ayesha Bilal starred with a four-wicket haul as Warriors maintained their unbeaten run in the PCB Women’s Super-3 T20 Tournament with a 24-run victory over Champions at the Iqbal Stadium on Monday.
Defending a target of 155, Ayesha returned impressive figures of four for 15 to help dismiss Champions for 130 in 19.2 overs, securing Warriors’ third consecutive victory in the tournament.
Ayesha struck at a crucial stage, removing Saira Jabeen, Najiha Alvi and Champions captain Tuba Hassan (18 off 16 balls) before trapping Tayyaba Imdad to complete her four-wicket haul.
Warriors’ spin attack further tightened the grip on Champions, with Zunash Abdul Sattar claiming two wickets for 27 runs and Rameen Shamim taking one for 17.
Rameen also dismissed the aggressive Komal Khan, who scored 18 off 12 deliveries, including two fours and a six.
Natalia Parvaiz offered the strongest resistance with 31 off 27 balls, while Shawaal Zulfiqar struck a brisk 22 off 12 deliveries.
However, their efforts were insufficient to keep Champions in the chase. Diana Baig also made an impact with the ball, taking two wickets for 19 runs, while Humna Bilal dismissed Shawaal.
Earlier, Warriors recovered from a precarious 66-4 to post154-8 afterbeingputintobat.
Hafsa Khalid led the recovery with a top score of 47 off 36 balls, striking five fours and two sixes, while Rameen contributed 29 off 24 deliveries.
The pair added 65 runs for the fifth wicket to revive the innings.
Sadaf Shamas chipped in with 22, while Diana provided a late flourish, scoring an unbeaten-looking contribution of 19 off 14 balls, including two fours and a six, to take Warriors to a competitive total.
For Champions, Tayyaba was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets for 27 runs, while Tuba, Momina Riasat, Fatima Khan and Ayesha Rehman claimed one wicket apiece. Tuba also effected Hafsa’s run-out.
The victory takes Warriors to three successive wins, while Champions, despite the defeat, have already secured their place in the final with two victories from four matches. Incredibles, having lost all three of their matches, are out of contention for the final.-Agencies