Pakistan Reaches Women’s Asia Cup Semi-Finals After 72-Run Win

Nashra Sandhu produced a sensational six-wicket haul as Pakistan defended 143 to beat Hong Kong by 72 runs and book a semi-final clash against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Captain Fatima Sana chose to bat first for the third consecutive match as Pakistan looked to recover from their seven-wicket defeat against India.

Pakistan made a steady start through Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqaar, who added 24 runs before Muneeba was bowled by Iqra Sahar. Gull Feroza's difficult tournament continued as she was dismissed lbw for three.

Shawaal then anchored the innings with an impressive 47 off 35 balls, while Ayesha Zafar contributed 26 off 19.

Pakistan suffered a middle-order collapse as Shawaal, Sadaf Shamas and Eyman Fatima fell within nine runs, leaving the side at 101-6.

Fatima Sana steadied the innings with an unbeaten 24, while Tuba Hassan added 14. Pakistan eventually finished on 143-8, helped by a six from Fatima off the penultimate delivery.

Nashra dominates with the ball

Pakistan made an excellent start in the field, reducing Hong Kong to 1-2 after two overs. Fatima bowled Mariko Hill before Sadia Iqbal trapped Miles lbw.

Yasmin Daswani and Kary Chan briefly resisted with a 31-run partnership, but Nashra Sandhu completely changed the match.

She dismissed Daswani with a caught-and-bowled before removing Marina Lamplough, Bibi, Shanzeen Shahzad and Alison Siu to complete her maiden T20I five-wicket haul.

Nashra then bowled Iqra Sahar with the final delivery of her spell to become the first Pakistani to claim six wickets in a women's T20 international, finishing with outstanding figures of 6-7.

Hong Kong were eventually bowled out for 71, with Umm-e-Hani taking the final wicket to seal Pakistan's 72-run victory.

Nashra was named Player of the Match.

The defeat eliminated Hong Kong, who needed to chase the target in 12.3 overs to qualify, while Pakistan secured their place in the semi-finals.