Pakistan, led by skipper Fatima Sana, were up against Bangladesh, led by skipper Nigar Sultana Joty, in the bronze medal match on 22nd September 2026 at the ongoing 4th edition of the Asian Games hosted by Japan, at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin.
Bangladesh lost to India by 114 runs in the 2nd semi-final, and Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka by 8 wickets in the 1st semi-final on 20th September 2026, to find themselves contesting for a Bronze medal in the ongoing Asian Games. Both sides made a change each; Tasmia Rubab replaced Momina Riasat for Pakistan, and Ritu Moni replaced Sultana Khatun in the starting 11 for Bangladesh.
The Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana won the toss and opted to bat first. The openers Shawaal Zulfiqar and the wicket-keeper batter Gull Feroza got their side off to a solid start with a 46-run opening stand. Left-arm spinner Nahida Akter cleaned up Gull Feroza (31 off 23 balls) to provide the much-needed 1st breakthrough for Bangladesh in the 7th over of the innings.
It triggered a collapse as Pakistan lost their next 4 wickets for just 21 runs, reducing them to 67/5 in the 12th over of the innings. Skipper Fatima Sana (45 off 30 balls) joined Aliya Riaz (25 off 22 balls) at the crease, and the duo stitched a much-needed 67-run partnership for the 6th wicket, which also took them past the 130-run mark.
The partnership provided the impetus in the middle overs for Pakistan, which eventually played a crucial role as the Fatima Sana-led side posted a respectable total of 145/8 in their quota of 20 overs. The innings had 8 extras. Nahida Akter (4-0-21-2), Shorna Akter (3-0-16-2), Sanjida Akter Meghla (4-0-28-1) and Ritu Moni (3-0-27-2) were the top performers with the ball for Bangladesh.
Chasing a tricky total of 146, Bangladesh lost their top order and were reduced to 20/3 in the 5th over of the powerplay. Sharmin Akhter joined skipper Nigar Sultana Joty at the crease, and the duo led the recovery with a much-needed, but scratchy, 47-run stand for the 4th wicket. Leg-spinner Ayesha Zafar landed a decisive blow by dismissing the opposition skipper Nigar Sultana Joty (25 off 30 balls) in the 14th over of the innings to provide the vital 4th breakthrough for Pakistan.
The duo of Nahida Akter (10* off 6 balls) and Sharmin Akhter (46* off 45 balls) showed some character to go down fighting with a quick-fire unbeaten 21-run stand for the 8th wicket. However, it was way too late for Bangladesh in their bid to secure a podium finish with a bronze medal, as they were restricted to 114/7 in their quota of 20 overs.
Umm-e-Hani (4-1-10-3), Nashra Sandhu (4-0-19-1), skipper Fatima Sana (4-0-25-1) and Ayesha Zafar (2-0-10-1) were impressive with the ball for Pakistan. Skipper Fatima Sana led from the front yet again with an all-round show, scoring 45 off 30 balls with the bat and returning with match figures of (4-0-25-1) with the ball for her side, playing a decisive role as Pakistan clinched the Bronze medal at the ongoing Asian Games.
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Source: femalecricket.com
