DUBAI: Pakistan Women secured their place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup after defeating Hong Kong Women by 72 runs in a dominant performance.
Pakistan, batting first in the match played in Dubai, posted 143 for 8 in 20 overs.
Shawal Zulfiqar was Pakistan’s top scorer with 47 runs, while Ayesha Zafar contributed 26 runs. Captain Fatima Sana also played an important unbeaten innings of 24 runs, helping Pakistan reach a competitive total despite losing eight wickets.
Pakistan’s bowlers then produced a superb performance to dismiss Hong Kong for just 71 runs, giving the national side a comprehensive 72-run victory.
The standout performer with the ball was Pakistan spinner Nashra Sandhu, who produced a record-breaking spell. She took six wickets for only seven runs, recording the best bowling figures in the history of Pakistan Women’s T20 cricket.
Sandhu’s exceptional spell dismantled the Hong Kong batting lineup and ensured that Pakistan successfully defended its total.
Hong Kong struggled to cope with Pakistan’s spin attack and lost wickets regularly during the chase. With no substantial partnership developing, the team was eventually bowled out for 71 runs.
Pakistan’s victory was built around a combination of disciplined batting and outstanding bowling. The 143-run total provided the bowlers with a defendable target, while Sandhu’s remarkable figures turned the second innings into a one-sided contest.
Captain Fatima Sana’s unbeaten 24 was particularly valuable as Pakistan continued to lose wickets during its innings. Shawal Zulfiqar’s 47 and Ayesha Zafar’s 26 also provided important contributions at the top and middle of the order.
The Pakistani bowling attack then took complete control of the match. Nashra Sandhu’s six-wicket haul not only sealed the victory but also created a new landmark in Pakistan Women’s T20 cricket.
Her figures of 6 for 7 represent the best bowling performance recorded by a Pakistan women’s player in T20 internationals, underlining the significance of her performance.
The 72-run victory also secured Pakistan Women’s qualification for the semi-finals of the Women’s Asia Cup.
The result will provide the team with considerable confidence heading into the knockout stage. Pakistan’s ability to defend a moderate total through disciplined bowling will be particularly encouraging for the side as it prepares for the semi-final.
The match also highlighted the growing importance of Pakistan’s spin department in the tournament. Sandhu’s outstanding performance demonstrated how effectively the team can use spin to put pressure on opposition batting lineups.
With the group-stage victory secured, Pakistan Women will now turn their attention to the semi-final, where they will face a tougher challenge in their pursuit of a place in the Asia Cup final.
The emphatic win over Hong Kong, combined with Sandhu’s historic six-wicket haul, gives Pakistan strong momentum heading into the next stage of the tournament.
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