Pakistan Women took the bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games with a 31-run win over Bangladesh. It is their first medal in the event in 12 years, since their podium finish in 2014.
The result also settled an old score. Bangladesh had beaten Pakistan in the bronze-medal match at the previous Asian Games, held in 2023.
Fatima and Aliya rebuild the innings
Pakistan were struggling at 67 for 5 when captain Fatima Sana joined Aliya Riaz. The pair added 67 together, and Fatima scored 45 from 30 balls, mixing stability with positive stroke-play. Gull Feroza had earlier chipped in with 31.
Pakistan finished their 20 overs on 145 for 8, a total that gave the bowlers something to defend.
Umm-e-Hani squeezes Bangladesh
The bowling unit then kept the pressure on throughout. Off-spinner Umm-e-Hani was the pick, returning 3 for 10 from her four overs and making run-scoring hard.
Sharmin Akter top-scored for Bangladesh with 46 and captain Nigar Sultana made 25, but the required rate kept climbing. Bangladesh ended on 114 for 7, 31 short of the target.
The medal brings Pakistan Women back to the Asian Games podium after more than a decade, and it came against the very side that had denied them bronze last time.
