DUBAI: Shawaal Zulfiqar struck a fluent 47 off 35 balls to anchor Pakistan’s batting as the Green Shirts posted a competitive 143 for eight against Hong Kong, China in the ninth match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first paid dividends as Pakistan recovered from early setbacks to set Hong Kong a challenging target, with Shawaal and Ayesha Zafar providing the backbone of the innings through a 47-run third-wicket partnership.
Pakistan post 143-8 from their 20 overs, with Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scoring with 47 🏏#PAKvHK | #BackOurGirls | #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/kLW31OUGMa
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 7, 2026
Pakistan made a brisk start through Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who added 23 runs before Muneeba was bowled by Iqra Sahar in the third over.
Gull Feroza fell for three in the fifth over after being trapped by Kary Chan, leaving Pakistan struggling at 33 for two.
Shawaal then took charge alongside Ayesha Zafar, and the pair launched a strong counterattack. They added 47 runs for the third wicket before both batters were dismissed by Joyleen Kaur in successive overs.
Shawaal remained Pakistan’s top scorer, smashing six fours in her 35-ball 47, while Ayesha contributed a brisk 26 off 19 balls, including four boundaries.
Kaur continued to trouble Pakistan’s middle order, claiming two more wickets in her next over as Sadaf Shamas was dismissed for five and Eyman Fatima departed for one, leaving Pakistan at 101 for six.
Fatima Sana then steadied the innings, forming a crucial 26-run seventh-wicket partnership with Tuba Hassan. Tuba scored 14 off 13 balls before Kary Chan dismissed her in the 18th over.
Fatima Sana takes Pakistan’s final total above 140 pic.twitter.com/NkmzbzBR6r
— PctMedia (@PctMediaa) September 7, 2026
Pakistan suffered another blow in the penultimate over when Iqra Sahar removed Umm-e-Hani for one, but captain Fatima remained unbeaten on 24 off 24 balls to help Pakistan reach 143 for eight at the end of their 20 overs.
Read Also: Pakistan Opt to Bat Against Hong Kong in Asia Cup 2026 Clash
For Hong Kong, Joyleen Kaur was the standout bowler, finishing with impressive figures of four for 19 from her four overs. Kary Chan and Iqra Sahar claimed two wickets each.
