DUBAI, UAE: Shawaal Zulfiqar’s blistering 47-run knock, followed by Nashra Sandhu’s sensational six-wicket haul, propelled Pakistan to a dominant 72-run victory over Hong Kong, China, in the 11th match of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Monday, sealing their passage into the semi-finals in emphatic fashion.
Pakistan qualify for the Semi Finals of the Asia Cup!!! pic.twitter.com/i1M3eumbAh
— PctMedia (@PctMediaa) September 7, 2026
The victory, which marked Pakistan’s second win of the tournament, helped them finish second in the Group A standings behind leaders India, and set up a semi-final clash with Group B toppers Sri Lanka at the same venue on September 11.
For Hong Kong, the defeat meant they concluded their campaign winless and at the bottom of the Group A standings, while also ending Thailand’s slim hopes for a semi-final berth as they remained third with two points.
Pakistan advance to the ACC Women’s #AsiaCup semi-finals! 🔥
A thoroughly dominant performance on display today 💪#PAKvHK | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/KefFRYKHRw
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 7, 2026
Sandhu’s record-breaking spell destroys Hong Kong chase
Set to chase a 144-run target, Hong Kong’s batting unit was blown away by Sandhu and could muster just 71 runs before being bowled out in 19 overs, despite a resilient effort from all-rounder Chan.
Chan, who walked out to bat in the second over, waged a lone battle for Hong Kong and top-scored with a gutsy 30 off 47 deliveries, before being cleaned up by Ayesha Zafar on the first delivery of the 16th over. She also shared a 31-run partnership for the third wicket with wicketkeeper batter Yasmin Daswani, who made an 18-ball 13.
Besides the duo, only No.10 batter Joyleen Kaur (10) could reach double figures against the ruthless Pakistan bowling attack, led by Sandhu, who picked up six wickets for just seven runs in her four overs, now the best bowling figures for Pakistan in the shortest format.
Sandhu was declared player of the match. She was ably supported by Sadia Iqbal, Ayesha, Umm-e-Hani and captain Fatima Sana, who all chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Nashra Sundhu dominated Hong Kong, China with a sensational spell 🔥
📸: @ACCMedia1
📝: https://t.co/dL7iJte2lk pic.twitter.com/09vwKuS5zd
— ICC (@ICC) September 7, 2026
Shawaal and Ayesha propel Pakistan to competitive total
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first paid dividends as they piled up 143/8 in their 20 overs, despite Joyleen Kaur’s economical four-wicket haul.
The Green Shirts got off to a spirited start as their opening pair of Muneeba Ali (six) and Shawaal put together 23 runs at a brisk pace until the left-handed opener was cleaned up by Iqra Sahar in the third over. Pakistan suffered another setback in the fifth over when Kary Chan trapped Gull Feroza (three) to bring the total down to 33/2.
Following the back-to-back setbacks, Shawaal was joined by Ayesha Zafar in the middle, and the duo put Pakistan in a dominant position by sharing a blistering 47-run partnership for the third wicket before both fell victim to Kaur in successive overs.
Read Also: Shawaal’s 47 Powers Pakistan to 143 Against Hong Kong in Asia Cup Clash
Shawaal remained the top-scorer for Pakistan with a 35-ball 47, studded with six fours, while Ayesha made 26 off 19 deliveries with the help of four boundaries. Kaur inflicted two more setbacks in her next over by dismissing Sadaf Shamas (five) and Eyman Fatima (one), resulting in the Green Shirts slipping further to 101/6.
Pakistan captain Fatima, who walked out to bat at No.6, then shared a crucial 26-run partnership for the seventh wicket with Tuba Hassan, who contributed with a 13-ball 14 until being sent back by Chan in the 18th over.
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Pakistan endured another setback in the penultimate over when Iqra dismissed No.9 batter Umm-e-Hani (one), but Fatima’s unbeaten cameo of run-a-ball 24 ultimately helped them settle for a commendable total.
Kaur spearheaded Hong Kong’s bowling charge with economical figures of 4/19 in her four overs, while Chan and Iqra made two scalps each.
