Rauf, Amin guide Blasters to 12-run win over Challengers

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Rauf, Amin guide Blasters to 12-run win over Challengers

Javeria Rauf (L) and Ayesha Naseem added 62 runs for the second wicket for PCB Blasters. ©PCB

A half-century by Javeria Rauf before a three-wicket haul by Anam Amin helped PCB Blasters beat PCB Challengers by 12 runs in the National Triangular T20 Women's Cricket Championship at National Stadium, Karachi on Friday.

In pursuit of 155, Challengers got off to a brilliant start with Ayesha Zafar and Muneeba Ali adding 30 for the opening wicket. But Blasters got hang on the ticking scoreboard as Amin got Zafar leg-before for 13. Challengers' captain Bismah Maroof joined Muneeba and tried to carry the momentum but Tooba Hassan bowled Muneeba for a well-compiled fifty. Hassan returned and picked her second wicket of the day, Maroof (15).

In the middle overs, Hafsa Khalid attempted to rebuild the innings but due to lack of support, she became Amin's victim. Ramin Shamim and Amin bagged two wickets each to create a panic back in Challengers' dressing room and the Maroof-led side was restricted on 142 for the loss of nine wickets.

Earlier, Rauf's 57 powered Blasters to post 154 for the loss of six wickets after electing to bat first. Blasters faced an early hiccup as Aimen Anwar dismissed experienced batter Javeria Khan cheaply for five. However, Ayesha Naseem and Rauf overcame the loss and patiently rebuilt the innings. Fatima Sana dismissed Naseem (31) but that brought Aliya Riaz in the middle who supported Rauf and they took Blasters past 100-run mark.

Aroob Shah finally got rid of Rauf and Fatima returned to end Riaz's stay for 29. Towards the end, Huraina Sajjad chipped in with 17 not out to take the side to a challenging total. For Challengers, Fatima picked up two wickets.

Brief scores: PCB Blasters 154/6 in 20 overs (Javeria Rauf 57, Ayesha Naseem 31; Fatima Sana 2/25) beat PCB Challengers 142/9 in 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 50; Anam Amin 3/14, Ramin Shamim 2/23) by 12 runs. PoM: Javeria Rauf and Anam Amin.
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