The stage is set for a thrilling finale of the National Women's T20 Tournament as unbeaten Strikers take on Stars in the final on Monday (today) at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad. The summit clash, scheduled to start at 10:00 AM, will be broadcast live, with live streaming available on Tapmad and Tamasha.
Strikers head into the final as overwhelming favourites, having won all eight of their league matches in the tournament. The side was led by Fatima Sana in six games and by Natalia Pervaiz in two, with Natalia set to lead the side again in the final in the absence of Fatima.
Their campaign has been built on collective contributions, with different players stepping up in crucial moments. Stars, led by Tuba Hassan, have scripted a dramatic entry into the final.
After managing four wins from eight matches, they kept their campaign alive by winning two must-win games on the trot to seal a spot in the final. History favours Strikers in this rivalry.
In the two previous meetings this season, Strikers got the better of Stars. On 13 October, Stars were restricted to 87 for 8, which Strikers chased in 17.3 overs.
A week later on 20 October, Sadaf Shamas' half-century powered Stars to 132 for 6, but Strikers held their nerve to chase it down off the last over, with three wickets in hand, courtesy of Eman Naseer's crucial 49-ball 51. With the bat, Stars' Sadaf Shamas leads the charts with 248 runs including three fifties, while Strikers' Omaima Sohail has scored 232 runs with two half-centuries and also chipped in with five wickets.
Bowling will be key at Iqbal Stadium. For Stars, left-arm spinner Momina Riasat has been the standout with 15 wickets, supported by leg-spinner and captain Tuba Hassan with 11 wickets and Diana Baig with nine.
For Strikers, the spin duo of off-spinner Rameen Shamim (17 wickets) and left-arm wrist spinner Tania Saeed (10 wickets) have combined for 27 wickets, while pacer Syeda Masooma Zehra has taken eight wickets. A total prize pot of PKR 3 million will be distributed at the end of the tournament.
The winners will take home PKR 1.5 million, the runners-up will receive PKR 1 million, while the Player of the Tournament will be awarded PKR 200,000. The best batter, best bowler and best wicketkeeper will each get PKR 100,000.