Pakistan Women Take Asian Games Bronze With 31-Run Win Over Bangladesh

Fatima Sana's 45 and a three-wicket haul from Umm-e-Hani carried Pakistan past Bangladesh in the third-place match at Korogi Sports Park.

Pakistan secured the women's cricket bronze medal at the Asian Games on Tuesday, defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the third-place contest at Korogi Sports Park. Batting first after a mid-innings collapse, Pakistan posted 145 for 8 and then held Bangladesh to 114 from their 20 overs.

Skipper Fatima Sana top-scored with 45 from 30 deliveries, sharing a 67-run sixth-wicket stand with Aliya Riaz (25 off 22) that rescued the side from 67 for 5. Gull Feroza had contributed 31 off 23 at the top of the order, while Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter and Ritu Moni each claimed two wickets for Bangladesh.

Bangladesh stumbled early in reply, losing three wickets inside 4.1 overs with only 20 on the board. Nigar Sultana made 25 before falling in the 14th over, and although Sharmin Akhter finished unbeaten on 46 from 45 balls, the required rate proved too steep. Off-spinner Umm-e-Hani did the damage with figures of 3 for 10, dismissing Juairya Ferdous and Sobhana Mostary among her victims.

The result gives Pakistan a third women's cricket medal at the Asian Games, adding to golds in 2010 and 2014. It also reverses the outcome of the bronze-medal playoff against Bangladesh at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.