Pakistan Women secured their place in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup semi-final with a 72-run victory over an inexperienced Hong Kong side in Dubai on Monday.

Pakistan scored 61 runs in the second half of their innings, including 37 in the final five overs, to post 143 for eight after electing to bat first. Hong Kong, who had conceded 120-9 against Thailand and 193-5 against India, were bowled out for 71 in 19 overs in reply after needing to win in 12.3 overs to reach the semi-finals.

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu mesmerised the Hong Kong batters and ran through their batting to finish with astonishing figures of 4-0-7-6, the best figures of her career in her 88th match.

After a bright start saw Pakistan race to 82 for three, their batters were suffocated by Hong Kong’s gentle but accurate bowling. Pakistan slipped to 101 for six and then 129 for eight before Fatima Sana’s late intervention helped them post a competitive total.

Fatima struck two sixes in her run-a-ball 24 to give Pakistan valuable runs at the death and help them reach 143 for eight.

Opener Shawaal Zulfiqar was Pakistan’s top-scorer with 47 from 35 balls, including six fours, while Ayesha Zafar scored 26 from 19 balls with four fours. The pair added 47 runs for the third wicket.

Muneeba Ali, playing her 100th T20I, was bowled for six off a slower delivery, while Tuba Hassan scored 14. Extras contributed 13 runs.

For Hong Kong, Joyleen Kaur returned figures of 4-0-19-4, while Iqra Sahar and Kary Chan picked up two wickets apiece.

Hong Kong struggled throughout their chase, with Kary Chan offering the only significant resistance. She top-scored with 30 before becoming Nashra’s sixth victim as Pakistan’s spin attack completed a comprehensive victory.

Pakistan will face defending champions Sri Lanka in the semi-final on Saturday, 11 September. Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan 2-1 in their T20I series last month.

Scores in brief

Match 11 (Group A) — Pakistan Women beat Hong Kong Women by 72 runs, Dubai

Pakistan Women 143-8, 20 overs (Shawaal Zulfiqar 47, Ayesha Zafar 26, Fatima Sana 24 not out, Tuba Hassan 14; Joyleen Kaur 4-19, Iqra Sahar 2-27, Kary Chan 2-33)

Hong Kong Women 71 all-out, 19 overs (Kary Chan 30; Nashra Sundhu 6-7)

ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 results

Match 1 (Group A) — Thailand beat Hong Kong by six runs
Match 2 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat UAE by nine wickets
Match 3 (Group A) — India beat Thailand by 94 runs
Match 4 (Group B) — Bangladesh beat Indonesia by 71 runs
Match 5 (Group A) — Pakistan beat Thailand by 35 runs
Match 6 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat Indonesia by 75 runs
Match 7 (Group A) — India beat Hong Kong by 137 runs
Match 8 (Group B) — UAE beat Indonesia by six wickets
Match 9 (Group A) — India beat Pakistan by seven wickets
Match 10 (Group B) — Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by four wickets
Match 11 (Group A) — Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 72 runs