LUCKNOW, Oct. 27 -- Opener Varnika Singh and Muskan Malik delivered a commanding batting display to power Uttar Pradesh to a thrilling 12-run victory over Hyderabad in their opening match of the Senior Women's T20 Trophy Elite, at the MCA Ground 2, Gahunje in Pune on Monday. Uttar Pradesh posted 188/4 in their 20 overs quota while batting first after winning the toss and then held firm to restrict Hyderabad to 176/5 in a high-quality contest. Saharanpur's Varnika Singh, captaining Uttar Pradesh, anchored the innings with a superb 95 off 66 balls at a strike rate of 144. Her knock contained 16 fours and two sixes, combining crisp strokeplay with intelligent running between the wickets. After Tripti Singh gave the innings early impetus with 20 from 17 balls, Varnika took responsibility for building a substantial platform. Muskan Malik, at the other end, was relentless in attack. She struck 63 from just 35 deliveries, hitting nine fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 180. While Varnika controlled the tempo, Muskan kept Hyderabad's bowlers under constant pressure, particularly through the middle overs. Their contrasting approaches worked perfectly as one batter stabilised, the other accelerated, and Uttar Pradesh's scoring rate remained healthy throughout. The opening partnership laid the foundation for a formidable total. Even after Tripti fell at 70 in the 8.1st over, Varnika and Muskan ensured the momentum did not dip. Varnika was eventually dismissed for 95 on the final ball of the 19th over, with the score at 181, while Muskan followed for 63 two balls later at 185. Late wickets reduced Uttar Pradesh to 188 for 4, but the damage had already been done. Hyderabad began their reply positively, with openers Gongadi Trisha and Pranavi Chandra putting together a fluent 88-run stand. Pranavi was especially aggressive, making 66 off 38 balls with eight fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 174. Trisha played the anchor's role to perfection, scoring 51 from 44 deliveries, including six boundaries and a six. Their partnership kept Hyderabad comfortably in the chase, but Uttar Pradesh struck at a crucial moment when Pranavi was dismissed in the final over of the powerplay. Gugulothu Kavyasree then added a quick 17 from 13 balls, while Vanka Pooja made eight and wicketkeeper Madiwala Mamatha chipped in with 20 off 12. However, regular breakthroughs prevented Hyderabad from building another decisive partnership. Khushi Tyagi was Uttar Pradesh's most effective bowler, claiming 2/35, including the key wickets of both openers. Garima Yadav took 1/23 and Shilpi Yadav picked up 1/45, while Archana Devi and Sonam Yadav kept the scoring in check through the middle overs. Hyderabad needed boundaries in the closing stages, but disciplined death bowling ensured the required runs remained just out of reach. Mamatha's run-out in the 19.3rd over, with Hyderabad at 173, effectively ended the chase. Nalla Kranthi Reddy finished unbeaten on nine, but Hyderabad closed at 176/5, 12 runs short. Led by Sameer Rizvi, Uttar Pradesh take on hosts Hyderabad in the Under-23 Col CK Nayudu Trophy match against hosts Hyderabad, starting Tuesday in Hyderabad. Hyderabad enter the contest after taking a narrow two-run first-innings lead against Uttarakhand in a drawn match at the same venue. Aaron George's marathon 197 and Aman Rao's 60 anchored their reply to Uttarakhand's 511, while Pranav Varma made 51 and claimed 5 for 37....