Pakistan Beat Hong Kong to Seal Women’s Asia Cup Semifinal Spot After India Loss

Pakistan bounced back from their defeat to India to secure a place in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals after a dominant 72-run victory over Hong Kong, China, with Nashra Sandhu producing a record-breaking six-wicket haul.

Chasing 144, Hong Kong, China were reduced to 28 for 2 before Sandhu was introduced immediately after the Powerplay. The left-arm spinner quickly changed the course of the match, breaking the partnership between Yasmin Daswani and Kary Chan.

Sandhu then struck twice in four deliveries, removing Marina Lamplough and Maryam Bibi to leave Hong Kong, China struggling at 40 for 5.

The Pakistan spinner continued her remarkable spell by dismissing Shanzeen Shahzad and Alison Sui off successive deliveries, putting herself on a hat-trick. She completed her six-wicket haul with the final ball of her spell as Hong Kong, China were eventually bowled out for 71 in the 16th over.

Sandhu’s figures were the best ever by a Pakistan woman in a Women’s T20I. She also became the first Pakistan bowler to claim six wickets in the format and only the third from the country to take a five-wicket haul in a Women’s T20I.

Her performance was the second six-wicket haul of the tournament after Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu took 7 for 5 against Indonesia.

Earlier, Hong Kong’s Joyleen Kaur impressed with the ball, taking 4 for 19 as Pakistan struggled to build momentum. Pakistan slipped from 92 for 2 to 101 for 6 before recovering to post 143.

Opener Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scored with 47 off 35 balls, while only four Pakistan batters managed to reach double figures.

Kary Chan provided Hong Kong’s only significant resistance with the bat, scoring 30 before being dismissed by Ayesha Zafar in the 16th over. Joyleen Kaur was the final wicket to fall as Hong Kong were bowled out for 71.

The victory confirmed Pakistan’s place in the last four after their loss to India. They will face Sri Lanka in the second semi-final on September 11.