Pakistan defeated Bangladesh by 31 runs on Tuesday to secure the bronze medal in the women’s cricket event at the 2026 Asian Games at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
All-rounder Fatima Sana starred with the bat, scoring 45 as Pakistan posted 145-7 from their 20 overs. Off-spinner Umm-e-Hani then returned career-best figures of 3-10 as Bangladesh were restricted to 114-7.
The result gave Pakistan their third Asian Games medal in women’s cricket. They won gold in 2010 and 2014, while Bangladesh defeated them in the bronze-medal match at the 2022 Games.
After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Pakistan made a brisk start through Gull Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar. Feroza struck six fours in her 23-ball 31, while Zulfiqar contributed 17 as the opening pair added 46.
Bangladesh responded strongly, taking five wickets for 21 runs to leave Pakistan at 90-5 after 15 overs.
Fatima and Aliya Riaz then transformed the innings with a crucial 67-run partnership from 43 balls. Fatima struck three sixes and three fours in her 30-ball 45, taking her tally to 540 WT20I runs in 2026. Riaz contributed 25 from 22 deliveries, including two sixes and a four.
Pakistan added 55 runs during the final five overs despite losing two wickets in the last over. Nahid Akter, Shorna Akter and Ritu Moni claimed two wickets each for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s chase faltered early. Umm-e-Hani dismissed Juairiya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary for single figures, while Tasmia Rubab removed Dilara Akter for 12. Saira Jabeen took all three catches, including a spectacular effort at the cover boundary off Tasmia’s bowling.
Reduced to 20-3 after 4.3 overs, Bangladesh struggled to recover. Captain Nigar Sultana scored 25 before being trapped leg-before in the 14th over, while Sharmin Akhter remained unbeaten on 46 from 45 balls.
Hani completed her career-best 3-10 by dismissing Shorna Akter for six, improving on her previous best of 2-28 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla earlier this year. Her spell also featured a wicket-maiden.
Nashra Sandhu claimed Bangladesh’s seventh wicket with the score on 93 before they eventually finished at 114-7.
Fatima capped her all-round performance by dismissing Ritu Moni, taking her tally to 31 WT20I wickets in 2026 as Pakistan completed a convincing bronze-medal victory.