Dubai, September 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu produced a career-best T20I performance with six wickets as Pakistan Women defeated Hong Kong Women by 72 runs in their Group A match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
The victory secured Pakistan’s place in the semifinals of the eight-team tournament. Pakistan, who finished second in Group A with four points from three matches, will face Sri Lanka in the second semifinal on September 11.
Defending a total of 143 for eight, Pakistan made early inroads before Nashra dismantled the Hong Kong batting line-up. The 28-year-old spinner finished with figures of 4-0-7-6 as Hong Kong were bowled out for 71 in 19 overs.
Nashra’s spell was also the best-ever bowling performance by a Pakistan women’s cricketer in T20Is. She surpassed Omaima Sohail’s previous record of five wickets for 13 runs against Sri Lanka in Sylhet, Bangladesh, in 2022.
Earlier, Pakistan, after being asked to bat, posted 143 for eight in their 20 overs. Shawaal Zulfiqar led the scoring with a 35-ball 47, striking seven boundaries. Ayesha Zafar contributed 26 from 19 balls, including four fours, while captain Fatima Sana remained unbeaten on 24 from 24 deliveries, hitting two sixes.
Joyleen Kaur was Hong Kong’s most successful bowler, claiming four wickets for 19 runs, while Iqra Sahar and Kary Chan took two wickets each.
Kary Chan top-scored for Hong Kong with 30, but the rest of the batting line-up struggled against Pakistan’s bowling attack.
Pakistan had earlier opened their campaign with a win over Thailand before losing to arch-rivals India in their second league match.
Brief Scores:
Pakistan: 143/8 in 20 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 47, Ayesha Zafar 26, Fatima Sana 24 not out; Joyleen Kaur 4/19, Iqra Sahar 2/27, Kary Chan 2/33)
Hong Kong: 71 all out in 19 overs (Kary Chan 30; Nashra Sandhu 6/7)
Pakistan won by 72 runs.
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