Pakistan women secured the bronze medal in the Asian Games 2026 cricket competition after defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place playoff on Tuesday.
Pakistan posted 145-8 in their 20 overs before restricting Bangladesh to 114-7 at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Aichi.
Captain Fatima Sana led Pakistan’s batting effort with a 30-ball 45, while Gull Feroza contributed 31 and Aliya Riaz scored 25.
Fatima Sana leads Pakistan recovery
Pakistan made a strong start through Gull Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who put together 46 runs for the opening wicket.
Feroza scored 31 from 23 balls, while Shawaal made 17 from 27 deliveries.
Pakistan then slipped to 67-5 before Fatima Sana and Aliya Riaz rebuilt the innings with a 67-run partnership.
Fatima struck three sixes and three fours in her 45, while Aliya hit two sixes and a four during her 25-run knock.
Their partnership helped Pakistan add 55 runs in the final five overs and finish on 145-8.
Umm-e-Hani restricts Bangladesh
Bangladesh struggled early in the chase, falling to 20-3 in 4.3 overs.
Umm-e-Hani produced her best WT20I figures with 3-10, while Tasmia Rubab, Nashra Sundhu and Fatima Sana took one wicket each.
Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana scored 25, while Sharmin Akhter remained unbeaten on 46 from 45 balls.
The pair added 47 runs for the fourth wicket, but Bangladesh could not maintain the required scoring rate and finished on 114-7.
Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter and Nahida Akter claimed two wickets each for Bangladesh.
Pakistan claim third Asian Games medal
The bronze is Pakistan’s third medal in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
Pakistan previously won gold medals in 2010 and 2014, while they finished fourth in the 2022 edition after losing the bronze-medal match to Bangladesh.
The 2026 bronze also marks Pakistan’s return to the Asian Games women’s cricket podium.
