Pakistan women’s cricket team secured the bronze medal at the Asian Games 2026 by defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place play-off at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin on September 22.
Chasing a target of 146 runs, Bangladesh were restricted to 114 for 7 in 20 overs, missing the opportunity to claim their first medal of the Games.
Pakistan elected to bat first and started strongly with an opening partnership of 46 runs between Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza. Feroza was dismissed by Nahida Akter after scoring 31 runs off 23 balls, which included six boundaries. Saira Jabeen followed but was out after scoring five runs. Zulfiqar made 17 runs off 27 balls, and Eyman Fatima was dismissed without scoring.
Ayesha Zafar scored a quick nine runs before being dismissed by Shanjida Akter Meghla. At 67 for 5, team captain Fatima Sana joined Aliya Riaz at the crease with eight overs remaining. The pair added 67 runs for the sixth wicket. Riaz contributed 25 runs off 22 balls, featuring two sixes and a four, while Sana scored 45 runs with three sixes and three fours. Sana was dismissed on the final ball of the innings, leaving Pakistan with 145 for 8.
Nahida Akter, Ritu Moni, and Shorna Akter each claimed two wickets for Bangladesh, with Shanjida Akter Meghla taking one.
In response, Bangladesh’s innings began well with Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous. However, Umm-e-Hani of Pakistan took the first wicket by dismissing Ferdous in the third over. Tasmia Rubab then dismissed Dilara Akter for 12 runs off eight balls in the following over. Sobhana Mostary was out for two runs in the next over.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty and Sharmin Akhter then put together a 47-run partnership for the fourth wicket to stabilise the innings. However, the increasing required run rate exerted pressure, and Sultana was dismissed lbw by Ayesh Zafar after scoring 25 runs off 30 balls, including three fours.
Subsequent wickets fell as the required rate climbed. Sharmin Akhter remained unbeaten on 46 runs off 45 balls, and Nahida Akter was not out on 10 off six balls as Bangladesh completed their 20 overs 31 runs short of the target.
Umm-e-Hani was the standout bowler for Pakistan with figures of 4 overs, 1 maiden, 10 runs, and 3 wickets. Fatima Sana, Tasmia Rubab, Nashra Sandhu, and Ayesh Zafar each took one wicket.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who was also the country’s women’s flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026, led the team to secure Pakistan’s second medal at the event. The country’s first medal was won by Asim Khan, who claimed bronze in mixed martial arts.
Pakistan currently holds 26th place in the Asian Games 2026 medal tally with two bronze medals.