Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 72 runs to reach Asia Cup semi-finals
At a glance
- Pakistan defeated Hong Kong by 72 runs in the Women's T20 Asia Cup.
- Spinner Nashra Sandhu took a national record 6 wickets for 7 runs.
- Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the semi-final on Friday, September 11.
Story so far
Pakistan has secured a place in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals after a decisive 72-run victory over Hong Kong. Batting first, Pakistan set a target of 144, with Shawaal Zulfiqaar top-scoring with 47. In response, Hong Kong were dismissed for 71, largely due to a record-breaking bowling performance from spinner Nashra Sandhu, who took 6 wickets for just 7 runs. The win sets up a semi-final clash with Sri Lanka on Friday, September 11.
Latest development
Spinner Nashra Sandhu set a new national record with figures of 6-7, surpassing Omaima Sohail's previous best. The performance helped Pakistan bowl out Hong Kong for 71 to secure a 72-run victory and a place in the semi-finals against Sri Lanka.
Latest updates
Further details from the match confirmed that left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu's record-breaking figures of 6-7 surpassed the previous best for a Pakistan women's cricketer, a 5-13 haul by Omaima Sohail against Sri Lanka in 2022.
Pakistan's total of 143 for 8 was built on Shawaal Zulfiqar's 47 from 35 balls, Ayesha Zafar's 26 from 19, and an unbeaten 24 from captain Fatima Sana. For Hong Kong, Joyleen Kaur was the standout bowler with 4-19, supported by Iqra Sahar (2-27) and Kary Chan (2-33).
The semi-final against Sri Lanka is scheduled for Friday, September 11.
The match was an opportunity for Pakistan to make amends for a seven-wicket defeat to India at the same venue two days earlier. After a cautious start, Gull Feroza's difficult run in the tournament continued as she was dismissed for three, following ducks in the previous two matches.
Ayesha Zafar injected momentum with 26 off 19 balls, helping Pakistan reach 82 for three at the halfway stage. However, the team then suffered a middle-order collapse, slipping from 92 for three to 101 for six as Joyleen Kaur dismissed Shawaal Zulfiqaar, Sadaf Shamas, and Eyman Fatima. Tuba Hassan provided useful support with 14 off 13 balls to help steady the innings.
In Hong Kong's chase, Pakistan's bowlers struck early, with Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal reducing the opposition to two wickets for one run after just two overs. A 31-run partnership between Yasmin Daswani and Kary Chan offered some resistance before Nashra Sandhu broke the stand and ran through the batting line-up.
Sources and updates
Nashra Sandhu’s record six-fer powers Pakistan into Asia Cup semifinals
LAHORE - Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu produced a record-breaking six-wicket haul as Pakistan thrashed Hong Kong by 72 runs to book their place in the semifinals of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Pakistan Thrash Hong Kong to Reach Women’s Asia Cup Semis
Pakistan reached the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals with a commanding 72-run victory over Hong Kong at the Dubai International Cricket…
Pakistan through to Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals as Nashra leads Hong Kong rout
Pakistan booked their place in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals after spinner Nashra Sandhu’s triggered a 72-run drubbing of Hong Kong, China at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday night. Nashra took six wickets as Pakistan defended 143
ویمنز ایشیا کپ: ہانگ کانگ کو شکست، پاکستان ٹیم سیمی فائنل میں پہنچ گئی
ویمن ٹی ٹوئنٹی ایشیا کپ کے اہم میچ میں پاکستان ویمن ٹیم نے ہانگ کانگ ویمن کو یکطرفہ مقابلے کے بعد شکست دے کر ایونٹ کے سیمی فائنل کےلیے کوالیفائی کرلیا۔
Fantastic win for our women’s team! Nashra Sandhu’s record-breaking 6 wickets for 7 runs is an incredible achievement. Best of luck for the semi-final against Sri Lanka.
ٹیم کو بہت مبارکباد! سیمی فائنل میں پہنچنا بڑی کامیابی ہے۔ خاص طور پر منیبہ علی کو ان کے 100ویں ٹی ٹوئنٹی انٹرنیشنل میچ پر مبارکباد۔ یہ ایک اہم سنگ میل ہے۔