Pakistan clinched the bronze medal at the 2026 Women’s Asian Games with a comprehensive 31-run victory over Bangladesh. Captain Fatima Sana spearheaded the effort, contributing a vital 30-ball 45 and taking a wicket to ensure her side finished the tournament on a high note.
Opting to bat first, Pakistan saw openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza put together 46 runs before Nahida Akter dismissed Feroza in the seventh over. A middle-order collapse left the team reeling at 67-5 by the 12th over, but Sana and Aliya Riaz stabilized the innings with a 67-run partnership off 43 deliveries. A late surge yielded 55 runs in the final five overs, pushing Pakistan to a defendable 145/8.
Bangladesh’s chase faltered early as they slumped to 20/3 within five overs. Despite a 47-run stand between Nigar Sultana and Sharmin Akter, the side struggled to build momentum. Offspinner Umm-e-Hani dismantled the lineup with a frugal spell of 3-10, including one maiden over. With five of Sana’s six bowlers claiming wickets, Bangladesh managed only 114/7 by the end of their 20 overs.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 145/8 in 20 overs (Fatima Sana 45, Gull Feroza 31; Nahida Akter 2-21, Shorna Akter 2-16) defeated Bangladesh 114/7 in 20 overs (Sharmin Akter 46; Umm-e-Hani 3-10) by 31 runs. The report also notes that the skipper scored a 30-ball 45 and picked a wicket to help Pakistan down Bangladesh by 31 runs in the medal game. The report also notes that finishing with figures of 3-10 in four overs, which includes a maiden, offspinner Umm-e-Hani was at her frugal best. The report also notes that on a big day, Sana made all the right moves, including her decision at the toss. The report also notes that sana and Aliya Riaz then rebuilt the essay with a 67-run stand that came in 7.1 overs and took Pakistan towards a respectable total.
Comments