In the first semi-final of the Asian Games 2026, Pakistan women's team batted brilliantly against Sri Lanka and scored 177 runs for 4 wickets in 20 overs. Ayesha Zafar and Shawal Zulfikar made a partnership of 115 runs in 70 balls for the third wicket.
Tezzbuzz Desk- The teams of Pakistan and Sri Lanka are face to face in the first semi-final of women's cricket of the Asian Games 2026. In the match, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu won the toss and asked Pakistan to bat first. However, Sri Lanka got success on the very first ball, when Gul Firozha returned to the pavilion without opening the account. After this, Pakistan's batsmen made a brilliant comeback and put pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Pakistan scored 177 runs after losing 4 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. This is Pakistan's highest score in Women's T20I against Sri Lanka. Earlier, Pakistan's best score against Sri Lanka was 176 runs. The team had made this score by losing 7 wickets in the match played in Dambulla in July this year. Now in the semi-finals of the Asian Games, Pakistan has left behind its own record.
Ayesha Zafar and Shawal Zulfikar played an important role in handling Pakistan's innings and helping them reach a big score. Both the batsmen made a quick partnership of 115 runs in just 70 balls for the third wicket. During this, Ayesha Zafar batted aggressively and maintained constant pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Ayesha Zafar played a brilliant inning of 71 runs in 40 balls. His innings included 9 fours and 2 sixes. The special thing was that he completed his half-century in just 27 balls. This is Ayesha Zafar's first half-century in women's T20I cricket. Earlier, he had a century in his name in T20I cricket.
On the other hand, Shawal Zulfikar also supported Ayesha well. He scored 54 runs in 50 balls. His innings included 3 fours and 2 sixes. This is Shawal's second half-century in women's T20I cricket. The special thing is that both his half-centuries came against Sri Lanka only. The 115-run partnership between the two batsmen helped Pakistan recover from the initial shock. Pakistan's innings looked to be in trouble at one time after losing the wicket on the first ball, but Zafar and Zulfikar put the team in a strong position by scoring quick runs. The 177 runs scored by Pakistan is now its new best score in the women's T20I against Sri Lanka. This score can prove to be important for Pakistan in an important match like the semi-finals. Ayesha Zafar's brilliant inning of 71 runs and Shawal Zulfikar's half-century contributed significantly in helping Pakistan reach a strong score.