Nashra Sundhu claims historic six-wicket haul as Pakistan crush Hong Kong, China by 72 runs
Pakistan Women booked their place in the Women’s Asia Cup semi-finals with a dominant 72-run victory over Hong Kong, China in their final Group A match. The victory was powered by a record-breaking bowling performance from Nashra Sundhu, who claimed six wickets as Hong Kong were dismissed for just 71.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 143/8 on a difficult surface. The national side made an aggressive start, reaching 50/2 during the Powerplay despite losing Muneeba Ali and Gull Feroza early.
Shawaal Zulfiqar and Ayesha Zafar steadied the innings with an important 47-run partnership. Zafar struck several boundaries before Joyleen Kaur changed the momentum of the innings by removing her.
Kaur continued to trouble Pakistan’s batters, dismissing Zulfiqar for a valuable 47 off 35 deliveries. She also removed Sadaf Shamas and Eyman Fatima to finish with excellent figures of 4/19.
Fatima Sana and Tuba Hasan provided late momentum, while Pakistan added 13 runs in the final over to reach a competitive 143/8.
Hong Kong’s chase never gained momentum as Pakistan’s bowlers struck immediately. Captain Fatima Sana and Sadia Iqbal reduced the opposition to 1/2 inside the opening two overs.
Yasmin Daswani and Kary Chan attempted to rebuild with a 31-run partnership, but Sundhu broke through by dismissing Daswani.
The left-arm spinner then produced a sensational spell. She removed Marina Lamplough and Maryam Bibi within four deliveries, leaving Hong Kong at 40/5.
Sundhu completed her five-wicket haul by dismissing Shanzeen Shahzad and Alison Siu with successive deliveries. She then claimed another wicket to finish with remarkable figures of 6/10, becoming the first Pakistan player to take six wickets in a Women’s T20I.
Chan offered some resistance with 30 from 47 balls, but Hong Kong were eventually bowled out for 71 in the 19th over.
The emphatic win confirmed Pakistan as the third semi-finalist alongside India and Sri Lanka. The remaining semi-final place will be decided by the Bangladesh-UAE clash.