Nashra Sandhu Six-for, Shawaal Blitz Power Pakistan Into Asia Cup Semis

DUBAI: Pakistan stormed into the semi-finals of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 after producing a commanding 72-run victory over Hong Kong, China in the 11th match of the tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.

The result secured Pakistan’s second win of the competition and saw them finish runners-up in Group A behind India. They will now face Group B winners Sri Lanka in the semi-final at the same venue on September 11.

For Hong Kong, China, the defeat brought their campaign to an end without a win, leaving them at the foot of the Group A table. Thailand also saw their hopes of reaching the knockout stage disappear as they finished third with two points.

Defending 144, Pakistan’s bowlers dismantled the Hong Kong batting line-up, with experienced left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu doing most of the damage. Hong Kong were eventually dismissed for 71 in 19 overs.

Sandhu produced a career-defining spell, returning remarkable figures of 6/7 from her four overs, the best bowling figures by a Pakistan bowler in women’s T20Is.

Kary Chan offered the strongest resistance for Hong Kong after arriving at the crease in the second over. She fought her way to 30 from 47 balls and remained the only batter to provide sustained resistance before Ayesha Zafar bowled her with the opening delivery of the 16th over.

Chan had earlier combined with wicketkeeper Yasmin Daswani to add 31 for the third wicket. Daswani scored 13 from 18 balls, while Joyleen Kaur, batting at No.10, was the only other Hong Kong player to reach double figures with 10.

Sandhu was backed up by Sadia Iqbal, Ayesha Zafar, Umm-e-Hani and skipper Fatima Sana, who claimed a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Pakistan made 143/8 after Fatima Sana opted to bat first, with Shawaal Zulfiqar’s aggressive 47 providing the backbone of their innings.

Pakistan’s opening stand lasted only 23 runs before Muneeba Ali was bowled by Iqra Sahar in the third over after making six. Gull Feroza then fell for three in the fifth over, trapped by Kary Chan, leaving Pakistan at 33/2.

Shawaal responded by taking the attack to the Hong Kong bowlers alongside Ayesha Zafar. Their 47-run stand off 31 balls put Pakistan firmly in control before Joyleen Kaur broke the partnership by removing both batters in consecutive overs.

Shawaal’s 35-ball 47 featured six boundaries, while Ayesha struck four fours during her 26 off 19 balls.

Kaur continued to trouble Pakistan in her following over, dismissing Sadaf Shamas for five and Eyman Fatima for one to reduce Pakistan to 101/6.

Fatima Sana then provided the late impetus Pakistan needed. The captain added 26 runs with Tuba Hassan for the seventh wicket, with Tuba contributing 14 from 13 balls before Kary Chan dismissed her in the 18th over.

Umm-e-Hani was removed for one by Iqra Sahar in the penultimate over, but Fatima remained unbeaten on 24 from 24 deliveries to ensure Pakistan reached a competitive 143/8.

Kaur was Hong Kong’s standout bowler, finishing with 4/19 from four overs, while Chan and Iqra Sahar took two wickets each.