Nashra Sandhu sets Pakistan record with 6 wickets for 7 runs

पाकिस्तान की नशरा संधू ने रचा इतिहास, हॉन्गकॉन्ग के खिलाफ 7 रन देकर झटके 6 विकेट

Pakistan's Nashra Sandhu delivered a match-winning spell of 6 wickets for just 7 runs against Hong Kong, marking the best T20 International bowling performance by any Pakistani women's cricketer. The achievement came during a Group A match of the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai, helping Pakistan secure a 72-run victory and a semifinal berth.

Record-breaking bowling spell

Nashra's figures of 6 for 7 represent the finest bowling performance not just for Pakistan's women's team but across both men's and women's T20I cricket for the nation. She surpassed the previous Pakistani record held by Sufyan Muqeem, who had claimed 5 wickets for 3 runs.

The 24-ball spell included 18 dot balls, meaning Hong Kong batters failed to score off 75% of deliveries she bowled. Nashra bowled her full quota of 4 overs without conceding a single wide or no-ball.

Dismantling Hong Kong's batting order

Nashra began her wicket-taking spree by dismissing Yasmin Daswani caught and bowled, before removing Marina Lamplough and Mariam Bibi. She then sent Shanzeen Shahzad back to the pavilion, and accounted for Alison Siu to complete a five-wicket haul. Her sixth victim was Ikra Sehar, whom she bowled.

Her performance eclipsed the previous Pakistani women's record of 5 wickets for 13 runs held by Omama Sohail, who had achieved the feat against Sri Lanka in 2022. Nashra was named Player of the Match for her devastating spell, during which she also contributed 3 not out runs off 3 balls with the bat.

Second major bowling feat in six days

The Women's Asia Cup has witnessed remarkable bowling displays in quick succession. Just six days earlier, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu had claimed 7 wickets for 5 runs against Indonesia. Athapaththu became the first bowler in Asia Cup history, across both men's and women's tournaments, to take 7 wickets in a single match.

Pakistan's path to the semifinal

Pakistan posted 143 runs after winning the toss and batting first. Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scored with 47 runs off 35 balls, hitting 6 boundaries. Ayesha Zafar contributed 26 runs from 19 deliveries, while captain Fatima Sana remained unbeaten on 24. Hong Kong's Joyleen Kaur was the pick of the bowlers, claiming her first four-wicket haul in women's T20Is with figures of 4 for 19 from 4 overs.

Chasing 144, Hong Kong crumbled to 71 all out in 19 overs. Fatima Sana bowled Mariko Hill in the opening over, while Sadia Iqbal dismissed Natasha Miles LBW in the next. Kary Chan's 30 off 47 balls provided brief resistance, but wickets fell regularly at the other end.

Pakistan finished second in Group A with 4 points from 2 wins in 3 matches, behind India. They will face Sri Lanka in the second semifinal on September 11.