Triangular T20 Women Championship: Aliya Riaz leads PCB Blasters to victory

Aliya Riaz's all-round effort led PCB Blasters to a 25-run win over PCB Dynamites in the opening match of the National Triangular T20 Women's Cricket Championship on Thursday.

Rameen Shamim-led Blasters scored 144 for five in 20 over after Nahida Khan, the Dynamites' captain, opted to bowl after winning the toss. With a 32-ball 42, which included eight fours, Javeria Khan top scored, while the second best score in the innings was registered by Aliya, who scored 27 runs from 28 balls on the back of two fours and a six.

Blasters were provided a solid start by the opening pair of Javeria and Ayesha Naseem (22 off 20) as they put a 70-run stand.

Dynamites' Nashra Sandhu and Kainat Imtiaz picked up a wicket each for 40 and 17 runs, respectively.

In their reply, Dynamites managed 119 for seven. Captain Nahida and Irum Javed scored 35 runs each. The former hit four fours in her 41-ball innings, while the latter hit three fours and two sixes in 28 balls. Aliya, with her medium-fast bowling, picked up two crucial wickets of Pakistan internationals Omaima Sohail and Irum. Her four overs leaked 24 runs. Anum Amin, the slow left-arm, took two wickets for 25 runs.

For her all-round performance, Aliya was declared player of the match.

Scores in brief: PCB Blasters 144-5, 20 overs; PCB Dynamites 119-6, 20 overs.