Blasters register easy win against Dynamites

PCB Blasters registered their first victory against PCB Dynamites by 25 runs, in the opening match of the National Triangular T20 Women's Cricket Championship at National Stadium in Karachi on Thursday (January 9). The Blasters victory was set up by Aliya Riaz's allround efforts. First, with the bat, she scored a valuable 27 runs and then later, she picked up two wickets to restrict Dynamites to just 119.

Nahida Khan, Dynamites' skipper, won the toss and elected to bowl. The decision though didn't go in their favour as Blasters' openers, Javeria Khan and Ayesha Naseem, put on a solid opening partnership of 70 runs.  Javeria Khan was more aggressive of the two, striking better than run-a-ball.

Dynamites though came into the match with twin strikes as they managed to remove both the openers quickly. Javeria was dismissed for quickfire 32-ball 42, while Naseem was out for (22) runs.  It was at this crucial juncture that Riaz stepped up and put on a solid display with the bat to ensure Blasters finish well. The big-hitting allrounder, who is known to finish off the innings well, played a vital cameo of 27 runs. She ensured Blasters put up 144 on the board. For Dynamites, Kainat Imtiaz was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 1 for 17.

In reply, Dynamites had a poor start upfront as they lost Sidra Amin and Omaima Sohail cheaply for zero and seven runs respectively. Nahida was still at the crease and was looking for a partner to build on the innings. She found one in Iram Javed. The duo stitched a valuable 40-run stand and was looking to take the game deep. That though, didn't happen as again it was Riaz who removed the prized scalp of Javed for 35 runs.  From then, the Dynamites lost momentum and were always catching up. They could just manage 119 losing seven wickets in the process.

Apart from Riaz, Anam Amin chipped in with two wickets for Blasters.

Brief Scores: PCB Blasters 144/5 in 20 overs (Javeria Khan 42, Aliya Riaz 27; Kainat Imtiaz 1/17) beat PCB Dynamites 119/7 in 20 overs (Iram Javed 35, Nahida Khan 35; Aliya Riaz 2/24) by 25 runs.