KARACHI: Fatima Sana smashed the fastest half-century in women’s T20Is as Pakistan Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 133 runs in the third T20I to sweep the three-match series 3-0.

Fatima completed her 50 from 15 balls on her way to a 19-ball 62 not out as Pakistan amassed 223 for four after electing to bat first for the third consecutive time in the series. In turn, a hapless Zimbabwe were sent packing for 90 in 17.1 overs with left-arm spinners Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu sharing five wickets between them.

Zimbabwe have been no match to Pakistan’s skills, experience and talent throughout the ODI and T20I series, and Friday evening at the National Bank Stadium was no exception. Nonetheless, nothing can be taken away from Fatima Sana’s world record 15-ball half-century. This was also a national record across men’s and women’s cricket, beating Shoaib Malik’s 18-ball 50 against Scotland in 2021.

Sophie Devine of New Zealand, Phoebe Litchfield of Australia and India’s Richa Ghosh previously shared the women’s T20I record, achieving the feat in 18 balls each. In men’s cricket, Nepal’s Dipendra Singh Airee holds the record, scoring a half-century from nine balls against Mongolia in September 2023.

Fatima clobbered eight fours and two sixes in her half-century, and ended up with 10 fours and two sixes in her 62 not out. It was largely due to her efforts that Pakistan were able to post 223 for four after the captain added 71 runs off 22 balls for the unfinished fifth wicket with Saira Jabeen.

Saira was 43 from 29 balls when Fatima strode out to bat. But such was the carnage and Fatima’s dominance that Saira reached her maiden half-century only a ball before her captain entered the record books as the fastest half-century maker in women’s T20Is. Saira finished with 50 not out from 32 balls with eight fours.

Fatima’s blistering innings was no surprise. The gutsy cricketer has previously played some stunning knocks across both formats, including a 22-ball 69 against South Africa in an ODI in Karachi in September 2023, 90 not out off 52 balls against New Zealand in an ODI in Christchurch in December 2023, a 29-ball 60 against South Africa in an ODI in Durban in March 2026, a 35-ball 90 against South Africa in a T20I in Potchefstroom in March 2026, which was followed by a 12-ball 47 not out six days later in Benoni.

Unfortunately, despite being one of the finest young and emerging women’s cricketers of this generation who regularly makes headlines across the cricket-playing countries, the trailblazer has been unable to attract franchise owners in Australia and England and Wales.

After Fatima’s heroics with the bat, left-arm spinners Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu took three and two wickets, respectively, as the tourists were dismissed for 90. The only highlight of their innings was the batting of opener Kelis Ndhlovu, who scored a 13-ball 32 with six fours and a six.

Pakistan women’s next assignment is a tri-nation T20I series, also involving West Indies and hosts Ireland later this month. They then head off to England, where they take on India in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston on 14 June.

Scores in brief:

3rd T20I – Pakistan Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 133 runs, Karachi

PAKISTAN WOMEN 223-4, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 62 not out, Saira Jabeen 50 not out, Ayesha Zafar 45, Iram Javed 29, Muneeba Ali 22; Lindokuhle Mabhero 2-36)

ZIMBABWE WOMEN 90 all-out, 17.1 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 32; Sadia Iqbal 3-20, Nashra Sandhu 2-21)

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Fatima Sana (Pakistan)

PLAYER OF THE SERIES – Ayesha Zafar (Pakistan)

PREVIOUS RESULTS:

1st T20I – Pakistan Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 153 runs

2nd T20I – Pakistan Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 67 runs

1st ODI – Pakistan Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 168 runs

2nd ODI – Pakistan Women beat Zimbabwe Women by 206 runs

3rd ODI – Pakistan Women beat Zimbabwe Women by nine wickets