Fatima Sana’s counter-attacking 45 and Umm-e-Hani’s three-wicket spell helped Pakistan defeat Bangladesh by 31 runs in the bronze-medal playoff.
Pakistan claimed the bronze medal in the Asian Games women’s cricket competition after overcoming Bangladesh by 31 runs in a dramatic playoff encounter.
Pakistan appeared to be in serious trouble at 67 for 5 in the 12th over, but Fatima Sana produced a crucial counter-attacking innings to completely change the momentum of the contest.
Sana smashed 45 from just 30 balls, helping Pakistan recover from a precarious position and post 145. Bangladesh struggled to build any momentum in the chase, with Umm-e-Hani delivering the decisive blows to finish with 3 for 10 from four overs.
Sana transforms Pakistan’s innings
Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat, making a steady start through Gull Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar.
The pair added 46 from 41 balls before Feroza was dismissed in the seventh over after making a brisk 31 from 23 deliveries.
Zulfiqar struggled to accelerate, eventually departing for 17 from 27 balls. Bangladesh continued to apply pressure, with Shorna Akter claiming two wickets as Pakistan slipped to 67 for 5.
That was when Sana took control.
Joining Aliya Riaz at the crease, Sana immediately changed the tempo of the innings. The pair added 67 runs from just 43 balls, with five sixes between them.
Sana’s 45 came at a strike rate of 150, turning what initially looked like a total around the 100-run mark into a competitive 145.
Bangladesh’s chase never gets going
Bangladesh needed 146 for victory but struggled to establish any rhythm from the outset.
Umm-e-Hani struck in the third over, claiming an important early wicket before returning in the fifth to strike again.
Bangladesh’s batting continued to falter, with wickets regularly interrupting their chase.
When Umm-e-Hani claimed her third wicket in the 16th over, Bangladesh were stranded at 77 for 5, with fewer than five overs remaining.
The chase had effectively slipped away.
Sharmin fights a lone battle
Senior batter Sharmin Akhter attempted to keep Bangladesh in contention, remaining unbeaten on 46 from 45 balls.
However, with little support at the other end, her resistance was never enough to seriously threaten Pakistan’s total.
Bangladesh eventually finished 31 runs short, allowing Pakistan to secure the bronze medal.
For Pakistan, Sana’s timely acceleration and Umm-e-Hani’s disciplined bowling proved decisive, turning a difficult position into a memorable medal-winning performance.
