Tuba’s all-round brilliance leads Stars to T20 title defence

LAHORE - Captain Tuba Hassan’s all-round performance guided Stars to a commanding 52-run victory over Invincibles in the final of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2025–26 at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground on Sunday.

With this emphatic win, Stars successfully defended their title, clinching the trophy and a prize purse of PKR 1.5 million, while runners-up Invincibles earned PKR 1 million. Tuba’s outstanding tournament performance, 192 runs and 10 wickets, also earned her the joint player of the tournament award alongside Fatima Sana of Conquerors, who impressed with 271 runs and eight wickets.

Opting to bat first in the final, Stars posted a competitive 156-9 in their allotted 20 overs. Coming in at a precarious 96-7, Tuba anchored the innings with a vital 50 off 31 balls, striking five fours and two sixes. It was her second half-century of the tournament and proved pivotal in lifting her side to a defendable total. Sidra Amin provided solid support with a brisk 30 off 23 balls, featuring one four and two sixes. For Invincibles, Amber Kainat and Momina Riasat claimed two wickets apiece.

In response, Invincibles were bowled out for 104 in 16.1 overs. Captain Muneeba Ali fought back with a quickfire 27 off 13 balls, but lacked support from the rest of the batting lineup. Despite the defeat, Muneeba finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 344 runs in nine matches, including four half-centuries at an impressive strike rate of 142.74, earning her the best batter award. Stars’ bowlers dominated the chase, with Tuba and Ayesha Bilal picking up three wickets each, while Omaima Sohail chipped in with two crucial scalps.

Tuba Hassan was named player of the match and also shared player of the tournament award with Fatima Sana of Conquerors. Invincibles’ Momina Riasat claimed the best bowler award after taking 16 wickets, while 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.

Click here to read article