Pakistan women beat Bangladesh by 31 runs to claim Asian Games cricket bronze

Pakistan's women left the 2026 Asian Games with a medal after defeating Bangladesh by 31 runs in the bronze-medal play-off at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan, on 22 September 2026. Batting first, Pakistan posted 145 for eight from their 20 overs and then restricted Bangladesh to 114 for seven.

The win carried extra meaning for the squad. The same two sides met in the bronze-medal match at the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou, where Bangladesh took the medal. This time it was Pakistan who finished on the podium.

A captain's rescue act

Pakistan's innings did not start smoothly. Opener Gull Feroza gave them early momentum with 31 from 23 balls, including six boundaries, but wickets fell steadily through the middle overs and the side slipped to 67 for five.

Captain Fatima Sana then took charge. She stayed unbeaten on 45 from 30 deliveries, hitting three fours and three sixes, and found useful support from Aliya Riaz, who made 25 from 22 balls. Their stand lifted Pakistan to a total that gave the bowlers something to defend on a big occasion.

Umm-e-Hani applies the squeeze

Bangladesh needed 146 to win, but their chase never settled. They lost three wickets with only 20 runs on the board, and Pakistan's bowlers kept the required rate climbing from there.

Umm-e-Hani was the standout performer, returning figures of three for 10 from her four overs. Tasmia Rubab, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu and Ayesha Zafar each chipped in with a wicket. Shamim Akhter carried the fight for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 46 from 45 balls and captain Nigar Sultana made 25, but neither could accelerate enough to threaten the target.

How Pakistan got there

Pakistan's route to the medal match ran through a semi-final defeat. They were beaten by eight wickets by Sri Lanka in the last four, which ended their hopes of gold and sent them into the third-place play-off. Their campaign had begun earlier in the tournament with a group fixture against Thailand.

What it means

A medal at a multi-sport Games is a welcome boost for the women's programme. The result also underlines the value of Fatima Sana's all-round contribution as captain and gives younger players such as Gull Feroza experience of performing in a knockout match.

The women's cricket competition at the Asian Games is played in the T20 format, and Pakistan's bronze sits alongside the men's team's silver from the same Games, making it a productive fortnight for Pakistan cricket in Japan.