ISLAMABAD: 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 on Tuesday.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 145-8. Captain Fatima Sana was the top scorer with an unbeaten 45 off 30 deliveries, smashing three sixes and as many boundaries. Opener Gull Feroza contributed 31 off 23 balls, hitting six boundaries.
Aliya Riaz played a valuable knock of 25 off 22 deliveries, including one boundary and two sixes, while fellow opener Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 17 off 27 balls without hitting a boundary.
Saira Jabeen was dismissed for five off six deliveries, with one boundary, while Ayesha Zafar scored nine off seven balls, including one boundary. Eyman Fatima was dismissed for a duck after facing three deliveries, while Tuba Hassan contributed four off two balls, hitting one boundary.
For Bangladesh, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter and Nahida Akter claimed two wickets each, while Sanjida Akter Meghla chipped in with one wicket.
Chasing 146, the Tigresses were restricted to 114-7 in their allotted 20 overs as Pakistan staged a fighting comeback with the ball after struggling with the bat.
Following their victory, captain Fatima Sana and her teammates gathered on the podium for the medal ceremony, proudly displaying their bronze medals.
The players also posed for photographs with the official Asian Games mascot plush toys as the stadium’s big screen displayed the words “VICTORY CEREMONY”.
The bronze medal marks Pakistan’s third podium finish in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
Pakistan won the inaugural women’s cricket gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou and successfully defended the title at the 2014 Games in Incheon.
At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Pakistan finished fourth after losing the bronze-medal match to Bangladesh.
The latest victory brings Pakistan back onto the Asian Games podium in women’s cricket after a four-year gap.