NISSHIN: Pakistan secured the bronze medal in the 2026 Asian Games women’s cricket competition after defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place playoff at Korogi Sports Park on Tuesday.
Pakistan struggled with the bat but posted 145-8 in their allotted 20 overs.
Captain Fatima Sana led the scoring with an unbeaten 45 off 30 deliveries. She struck three boundaries and three sixes during her innings.
Opener Gull Feroza contributed 31 off 23 balls, including six boundaries.
Aliya Riaz scored a valuable 25 off 22 deliveries. Her innings included one boundary and two sixes.
Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 17 off 27 balls, while Saira Jabeen made five off six deliveries.
Ayesha Zafar added nine off seven balls, and Tuba Hassan scored four off two deliveries. Eyman Fatima was dismissed for a duck.
For Bangladesh, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter and Nahida Akter took two wickets each. Sanjida Akter Meghla claimed one wicket.
Pakistan Fight Back With Ball
Bangladesh needed 146 runs to win the bronze medal but managed only 114-7 in 20 overs.
Shamim Akhter remained unbeaten on 46 off 45 deliveries. She hit four boundaries during her fighting innings.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana scored 25 off 30 balls, including three boundaries.
Opener Dilara Akter made 12 off eight deliveries with two boundaries.
Shorna Akter scored six, while Juairiya Ferdous and Rabeya Khan contributed four runs each.
Ritu Moni scored three and Sobhana Mostary added two. Nahida Akter remained unbeaten on 10.
Umm-e-Hani produced the key bowling performance for Pakistan. She claimed 3-10 in her four overs.
Tasmia Rubab, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu and Ayesha Zafar took one wicket each.
Pakistan’s disciplined bowling effort restricted Bangladesh to 114-7 and secured the 31-run victory.
The bronze medal gives Pakistan a podium finish in the women’s cricket competition at the Asian Games.
