Nashra's record figures put Pakistan in Asia Cup semis

Left-arm spinner pulls off 6-7 as Pakistan seal a huge win over Hong Kong in women's continental cricket event

Pakistan Women stormed into the semi-finals of the Women's Asia Cup with a commanding 72-run victory over Hong Kong Women on Monday, powered by a record-breaking spell from left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu.

Chasing 144 for victory in the Group A encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Hong Kong were bowled out for 71 in 19 overs as Sandhu claimed 6-7 from her four overs, the best bowling figures by a Pakistani bowler in women's T20 international cricket.

The victory was Pakistan's second in three matches and secured their place in the knockout stage behind Group A champions India, who had already sealed top spot with three wins.

Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the semi-finals on Friday.

Pakistan's comprehensive performance was set up by a measured batting display after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Shawaal Zulfiqar anchored the innings with a fluent 47 from 35 balls, striking six fours, while Ayesha Zafar added 26 from 19. Captain Fatima Sana provided the late impetus with an unbeaten 24 from 24 balls, including two sixes, to lift Pakistan to 143-8 from their 20 overs.

Tuba Hassan chipped in with a brisk 14 from 13 balls, while Sandhu finished unbeaten on three.

Hong Kong's Joyleen Kaur was the pick of their bowlers, taking 4-19 from four overs, but Pakistan's total proved far beyond Hong Kong's reach.

The chase unravelled almost immediately.

Fatima Sana removed Mariko Hill for a duck and Sadia Iqbal dismissed captain Natasha Miles for one as Hong Kong slipped to 1-1 and then 1-2 inside the second over.

Kary Chan offered resistance with a patient 30 from 47 balls, but once she was dismissed by Ayesha Zafar in the 16th over, Hong Kong's hopes of mounting a recovery disappeared. Sandhu then took control. The spinner removed Yasmin Daswani for 13 before running through Hong Kong's lower order, claiming the wickets of Marina Lamplough, Maryam Bibi, Shanzeen Shahzad, Alison Siu and Iqra Sahar.

Her figures of 4-0-7-6 surpassed the previous benchmark and represented the best bowling performance by a Pakistani player in women's T20I cricket.

Sandhu's extraordinary spell also earned her Player of the Match honours.

Hong Kong were eventually dismissed for 71, with Chan the only batter to pass 20. Pakistan's bowlers maintained relentless pressure throughout, conceding just four extras and restricting the Hong Kong innings to a run rate of 3.73.

In Group B, Sri Lanka have already booked their semi-final place. The second qualifier from that group will be decided by the match between the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.