Stars Triumph in National Women's T20 Final with Commanding Victory
In a thrilling conclusion to the National Women's T20 Tournament 2025-26, Stars secured a dominant 52-run win over Invincibles at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground in Lahore on Sunday. This emphatic victory allowed Stars to successfully defend their title, claiming the prestigious trophy and a prize purse of PKR 1.5 million, while runners-up Invincibles earned PKR 1 million for their efforts.
Tuba Hassan's All-Round Masterclass Leads the Way
Captain Tuba Hassan delivered a stellar all-round performance that was instrumental in Stars' success. Opting to bat first, Stars faced early struggles, finding themselves at a precarious 96-7. However, Tuba anchored the innings with a crucial 50 off just 31 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes. This marked her second half-century of the tournament and proved pivotal in lifting her team to a competitive total of 156-9 in their allotted 20 overs.
Sidra Amin provided valuable support with a brisk 30 off 23 balls, including one four and two sixes, helping to stabilize the innings. For Invincibles, bowlers Amber Kainat and Momina Riasat each claimed two wickets, but they could not contain Stars' late surge.
Invincibles' Chase Falls Short Despite Muneeba Ali's Efforts
In response, Invincibles were bowled out for 104 in 16.1 overs, unable to mount a successful chase. Captain Muneeba Ali fought valiantly with a quickfire 27 off 13 balls, but she lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup. Despite the team's defeat, Muneeba finished as the tournament's leading run-scorer, amassing 344 runs in nine matches with four half-centuries at an impressive strike rate of 142.74, earning her the best batter award.
Stars' bowlers dominated the proceedings, with Tuba Hassan and Ayesha Bilal each picking up three wickets, while Omaima Sohail contributed with two crucial scalps. This collective effort ensured a comprehensive victory for the defending champions.
Tournament Awards and Individual Accolades
Tuba Hassan was named player of the match for her all-round heroics and also shared the player of the tournament award with Fatima Sana of Conquerors. Tuba's outstanding tournament performance included 192 runs and 10 wickets, while Fatima impressed with 271 runs and eight wickets.
Other notable awards included:
- Momina Riasat of Invincibles claimed the best bowler award after taking 16 wickets throughout the competition.
- Najiha Alvi of Strikers was adjudged the best wicketkeeper with eight dismissals.
Scores in Brief: STARS 156-9, 20 overs (Tuba Hassan 50, Sidra Amin 30; Amber Kainat 2-20, Momina Riasat 2-40) beat INVINCIBLES: 104 all out, 16.1 overs (Muneeba Ali 27; Tuba Hassan 3-6, Ayesha Bilal 3-12) by 52 runs.
This victory not only highlights Stars' dominance in women's cricket but also underscores the growing talent and competitiveness in Pakistan's domestic women's T20 scene, setting a positive tone for future tournaments.
