ISLAMABAD: Pakistan left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu produced a historic bowling performance against Hong Kong, China on Monday, claiming six wickets for just seven runs to register the best bowling figures ever by a Pakistan women’s cricketer in T20Is and propel her team into the semi-finals of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026.
Sandhu returned extraordinary figures of 4-0-7-6, becoming the first Pakistan bowler to take six wickets in a Women’s T20I. Her spell also eclipsed the previous national record of 5/13, held by Omaima Sohail against Sri Lanka in 2022.
A slice of history for @nashra_sundhu06! 🎯
The best bowling figures by a Pakistan 🇵🇰 bowler in T20Is, and the second-best by any bowler in ACC Women’s T20 #AsiaCup history 🌟#PAKvHK | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/t8efV2gaKP
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 7, 2026
The 28-year-old spinner completely dismantled Hong Kong’s batting line-up as Pakistan secured a commanding 72-run victory, sealing their place in the last four of the continental tournament.
Sandhu conceded only seven runs in her four overs, producing an exceptional economy rate of 1.75 runs per over. Her six wickets came at a crucial stage of the match and turned Pakistan’s strong position into a comprehensive victory.
The performance was particularly significant because it marked Sandhu’s first five-wicket haul in T20Is — and she went beyond that by becoming the first Pakistani woman to claim six wickets in the format.
Nashra Sandhu Speaks to Media After Taking a Historic Bowling Figure For Pakistan #NashraSandhu #AsiaCup2026 #PakistanCricket #WomensCricket pic.twitter.com/7dKmddMac2
— Hammad Kurar (@HammadKurar) September 7, 2026
Before her record-breaking T20I performance, Sandhu had also produced a memorable spell in women’s ODIs. She took 6/26 against South Africa in Lahore in 2025, one of the best ODI bowling performances by a Pakistan woman.
However, Sandhu’s ODI figures do not represent Pakistan women’s best in the 50-over format. That record belongs to Sajjida Shah, who took 7/4 against Japan in Amsterdam in 2003.
Sandhu’s latest achievement has now given her a place among Pakistan women’s most successful bowlers across formats, while her 6/7 stands alone at the top of the country’s T20I bowling records.
𝑺𝑰𝑿 FOR 𝑺𝑬𝑽𝑬𝑵 🤩@nashra_sundhu06 is player of the match for her sensational spell of bowling 💫#PAKvHK | #BackOurGirls | #AsiaCup pic.twitter.com/z3sCVnwKcj
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 7, 2026
Top five Pakistan women’s bowling figures in T20Is
- 1. Nashra Sandhu – 6/7 vs Hong Kong, China (2026)
2. Omaima Sohail – 5/13 vs Sri Lanka (2022) - 3. Sana Mir – 4/9 vs Ireland (2018)
- 4. Nida Dar – 4/10 vs West Indies (2022)
- 5. Sadia Iqbal – 4/11 – Opposition and year yet to be confirmed from available records
At the global level, however, Sandhu’s figures do not constitute the overall best bowling performance in women’s T20Is. Brazil’s Laura Cardoso holds the current world record with 9/4 against Lesotho in April 2026, while Indonesia’s Rohmalia produced the remarkable figures of 7/0 against Mongolia in 2024.
Read Also: Pakistan Cruise into Asia Cup Semi-Finals with 72-Run Win Over Hong Kong
Top five best bowling figures in women’s T20Is
- Laura Cardoso (Brazil) — 9/4 vs Lesotho, 2026
- Rohmalia (Indonesia) — 7/0 vs Mongolia, 2024
- Frederique Overdijk (Netherlands) — 7/3 vs France, 2021
- Alison Stocks (Argentina) — 7/3 vs Brazil, 2022
- Samanthi Dunukedeniya (Sri Lanka) — 7/15 vs Czech Republic, 2025
The list places Nashra Sandhu’s 6/7 among the most remarkable bowling performances in women’s T20I cricket, while establishing her as the leading Pakistan bowler in the format.
