Pakistan’s women’s cricket team secured the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games after defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place playoff at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on Tuesday. Pakistan posted 145 for eight in 20 overs before restricting Bangladesh to 114 for seven.
Captain Fatima Sana played a crucial role with the bat, scoring a quick 45 from 30 balls with three fours and three sixes. She came in when Pakistan were struggling at 67 for five and formed a valuable 67-run partnership with Aliya Riaz, who contributed 25 from 22 balls. The late acceleration helped Pakistan reach a competitive total.
Pakistan had made a positive start through Gull Feroza, who scored 31 from 23 balls, and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who made 17, but Bangladesh fought back by taking five wickets for 21 runs. Fatima and Aliya steadied the innings before Pakistan added 55 runs in the final five overs.
With the ball, Umm-e-Hani produced a career-best performance in women’s T20 internationals, taking three wickets for just 10 runs in her four overs. Her spell, along with wickets from Tasmia Rubab, Ayesha Zafar, Fatima Sana and Nashra Sandhu, restricted Bangladesh to 114 for seven. Sharmin Akhter remained unbeaten on 46, while Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana scored 25.
The victory marks Pakistan’s third medal in women’s cricket at the Asian Games, following gold-medal victories in 2010 and 2014. It also gave Pakistan a podium finish after they lost the bronze-medal match to Bangladesh at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Pakistan had reached the semifinals after defeating Thailand by three wickets in the quarter-final, but Sri Lanka beat them by eight wickets in the semifinal. The bronze-medal victory ensured Pakistan finished third in the women’s cricket competition.
