Pakistan beat Hong Kong to seal Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 semi-final spot

Shawaal Zulfiqar’s 47 and Nashra Sandhu’s sensational six-wicket haul powered Pakistan to a dominant 72-run victory over Hong Kong, China in the 11th match of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

As a result, they also secured the spot in the semi-finals, with a second win of the tournament, that helped them finished Group A on second position behind India. Hong Kong finished bottom without a win.

Pakistan will face Group B leaders Sri Lanka in the semi-final on September 11 at the same venue.

Chasing 144 for victory, Hong Kong’s batting lineup struggled against Pakistan’s bowling attack and was dismissed for 71 in 19 overs. Chan provided the main resistance with a fighting 30 from 47 balls before Ayesha Zafar bowled her with the first delivery of the 16th over.

How did Nashra Sandhu help Pakistan beat Hong Kong?

Sandhu produced the decisive spell for Pakistan, taking six wickets for just seven runs in her four overs. Her figures became the best bowling performance by a Pakistani woman in T20 internationals and dismantled Hong Kong’s chase.

Only Joyleen Kaur, who batted at No.10, joined Chan in reaching double figures, scoring 10. Sadia Iqbal, Ayesha Zafar, Umm-e-Hani and captain Fatima Sana also took one wicket each as Pakistan completed a commanding bowling display.

Earlier, Fatima Sana chose to bat first and Pakistan posted 143-8 in their 20 overs. Kaur was Hong Kong’s most successful bowler, finishing with four wickets for 19 runs.

Pakistan began positively, with Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar adding 23 runs before Muneeba was bowled by Iqra Sahar in the third over. Gull Feroza then fell for three to Kary Chan in the fifth over, leaving Pakistan at 33-2.

Who top-scored for Pakistan?

Shawaal Zulfiqar led Pakistan’s scoring with 47 from 35 balls, striking six fours. She combined with Ayesha Zafar for a 47-run third-wicket partnership that helped Pakistan recover from their early setbacks.

Ayesha scored 26 from 19 deliveries, including four fours, before Kaur removed both batters in consecutive overs. Kaur then struck twice in her next over, dismissing Sadaf Shamas for five and Eyman Fatima for one to reduce Pakistan to 101-6.

Fatima Sana and Tuba Hassan responded with a 26-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Tuba made 14 from 13 balls before Chan dismissed her in the 18th over.

Iqra Sahar removed Umm-e-Hani for one in the penultimate over, but Fatima stayed unbeaten on 24 from 24 balls to take Pakistan to 143-8.

Kaur finished with 4-19 from four overs to lead Hong Kong’s bowling effort, while Chan and Iqra Sahar took two wickets apiece.