DUBAI — Pakistan produced a clinical all-round performance to crush Hong Kong, China, by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, securing their spot in the semi-finals of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026.

Bouncing back strongly after a heavy defeat against rivals India, Fatima Sana’s side controlled the match from start to finish, propelled by Shawaal Zulfiqar’s top score with the bat and a historic bowling performance from slow left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu.

Zulfiqar and Captain Sana Push Pakistan to Competitive Total

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Pakistan suffered early stumbles as openers Muneeba Ali (6) and Gull Feroza (3) departed inside the powerplay. However, 19-year-old opener Shawaal Zulfiqar anchored the innings with composure, striking a 35-ball 47 that featured six boundaries.

Zulfiqar found support in Ayesha Zafar, who chipped in with a brisk 26 off 19 deliveries. Despite a middle-order collapse engineered by Hong Kong bowler Joyleen Kaur—who took impressive figures of 4 for 19—Pakistan maintained momentum. A late unbeaten cameo from captain Fatima Sana (24 off 24) pushed the Green Shirts to a total of 143/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Sandhu’s Record-Breaking Spell Decimates Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s chase never got off the ground, stifled early by Pakistan’s disciplined spin attack. Aside from skipper Kary Chan, who fought valiantly with a 47-ball 30, and Yasmin Daswani (13), no other batter managed to establish a base.

The highlight of the night belonged to spinner Nashra Sandhu. Sandhu ripped through Hong Kong's batting order in an unbelievable display of spin bowling, taking 6 wickets for just 7 runs in her 4 overs. Sandhu’s figures broke the record for the best bowling performance ever recorded by a Pakistani woman in T20 International history, while becoming only the third Pakistani woman to take a T20I five-wicket haul.

Hong Kong were bundled out for a meager 71 runs in 19 overs, handing Pakistan a massive 72-run win.

Road Ahead to the Knockouts

The victory confirmed Pakistan’s finish as runners-up in Group A behind undefeated leaders India. They advance to the semi-finals, where they are scheduled to face unbeaten Group B leaders Sri Lanka on Friday. Meanwhile, Hong Kong exit the tournament winless after three matches.

Reflecting on the match, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana acknowledged that while the win was a major morale booster, the team still needs to refine their middle-order batting before facing Sri Lanka.

"We need more strike rotation and better partnerships in the middle order before entering a crucial knockout game like the semi-final," Sana said during the post-match presentation.