Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi have been named joint champions of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2023-24, following the cancellation of the final due to rain. This conclusion came after a competitive series of 30 matches played in a double-round robin format, highlighting the depth of talent across the teams.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the tournament featured six teams, each playing 10 matches. Lahore topped the league stage with an impressive 10 wins out of 10 games, securing 20 points. Karachi and Rawalpindi followed, both with six wins, but Karachi edged out Rawalpindi for the second position based on a superior Net Run Rate (NRR). Multan, Quetta, and Peshawar rounded out the fourth to sixth positions, respectively, with Multan winning five games, Quetta three, and Peshawar finishing without a win.
The tournament showcased exceptional performances, with Rawalpindi captain Aliya Riaz and Multan captain Gull Feroza jointly named players of the tournament. Riaz was notable for her 370 runs, including an undefeated century and three half-centuries, alongside her 10 wickets. Feroza, as the second-highest run-scorer, accumulated 479 runs highlighted by five fifties.
Lahore’s Sidra Amin received the best batter of the tournament award, leading the run-charts with 494 runs, which featured an unbeaten century and three half-centuries. Lahore wicket-keeper Sidra Nawaz was distinguished as the tournament’s best wicketkeeper with 15 dismissals.
The bowling accolades went to Lahore’s leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima as the best bowler of the tournament, taking 21 wickets at an impressive average and economy rate. Nashra Sundhu, also from Lahore, and Karachi’s Syeda Aroob Shah were among the top bowlers, with Sundhu achieving the only five-wicket haul of the tournament.
The tournament’s conclusion as a joint championship due to rain did not overshadow the remarkable achievements of the players and teams involved, setting a high standard for future competitions.
Lahore, The Lahore division emerged victorious in both the men’s and women’s team events at the Rising Punjab Games 2024, showcasing a dominant performance at the Nishtar Park Sports Complex Gymnasium Hall. The Faisalabad division secured the runner-up position in both competitions, marking a significant achievement in the regional sports event.
According to Sports Board Punjab, the commendable performance of the Lahore division teams against the formidable Faisalabad division was praised by Dr. Asif Tufail, Director General of Sports Punjab. He noted the high level of skill displayed by both teams during the final match, indicating a promising future for table tennis in the region. Dr. Tufail also mentioned that the Rising Punjab Games, part of the Annual Sports Calendar Programme by Sports Board Punjab, are progressing successfully, with plans to organize Spring Games following this event.
The women’s team event final saw the Lahore division overcoming an initial setback by winning three successive matches against Faisalabad, after losing the first match. Lahore’s Perniya Zaman and Kalsoom Khan played pivotal roles in reversing their team’s fortunes by securing crucial wins against their Faisalabad opponents.
The men’s team event final was a clean sweep for Lahore, with players Asim Qureshi, Taimur Khan, and Awais Hassan delivering decisive victories over their Faisalabad counterparts, culminating in a 3-0 triumph.
The quarterfinal results of both women’s and men’s singles further highlighted the intense competition among the participants, with Lahore and Faisalabad players prominently featuring in the wins. These matches showcased the depth of talent in the region, with close and competitive encounters across the board.
The Rising Punjab Games serve as a platform for nurturing sporting talent and fostering competitive spirit among the youth of Punjab. The successful organization of the event and the performance of the athletes underscore the effectiveness of Sports Board Punjab’s Annual Sports Calendar Programme in promoting sports at the grassroots level.