Karachi: Women's cricket, which is struggling to maintain its position in Pakistan, suffered a blow when the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had to cut short the National Women's Championship on Monday after a fire broke out in the hotel where the teams were staying.

According to local media reports, five players had a narrow escape after a fire broke out in the hotel, causing panic among the players. The report said that the PCB tried to find another place for the teams but could not find any alternative place for the teams due to the defense exhibition being held in Karachi.

The PCB said that the decision to cut short the tournament was taken keeping in mind the safety and health of the players. The board official said that all the players were safe and no one was injured due to the fire.

“Fortunately, no player was injured as the PCB immediately evacuated the five players who were present in the hotel at the time of the incident and moved them to a safe place,” the report quoted the PCB as saying.

After the event was shortened, the PCB decided to hold a final between the teams finishing in the top two positions in the standings after playing four matches each to determine the winner of the tournament.

"To determine the tournament winner, the PCB has decided that the Invincibles and Stars – the top two teams after playing four matches each – will face off in the final. The date and venue of the final will be announced in due course," the PCB said in a statement.