Pakistan Women delivered another dominant performance against Zimbabwe, completing a clean sweep of the T20I series with a massive 133-run victory in Karachi on Friday.
The match, however, belonged to captain Fatima Sana, who etched her name into the record books with the fastest half-century in Women’s T20I history.
Batting first, Pakistan piled up a huge total of 223/4 in their 20 overs before bowling Zimbabwe out for just 90, securing a 3-0 whitewash in both the ODI and T20I series.
The historic moment came late in Pakistan’s innings when Fatima Sana arrived at the crease at No.6 with the score already at 152/4. The skipper unleashed a stunning assault, smashing eight fours and two sixes on her way to a breathtaking fifty in just 15 balls.
The 24-year-old broke the previous Women’s T20I record jointly held by Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield and Richa Ghosh, all of whom had reached their half-centuries in 18 deliveries.
Fatima also set a new national record for the fastest T20I fifty by a Pakistani woman, surpassing former captain Nida Dar, who had scored a 20-ball half-century against South Africa in 2019.
Alongside Fatima’s explosive cameo, Saira Jabeen played a vital role with a composed half-century that helped Pakistan post one of their biggest T20I totals.
The total of 223/4 became Pakistan Women’s second-highest score in T20Is, only behind the 237/5 they had registered against Zimbabwe earlier in the series.
Zimbabwe struggled throughout the chase as Pakistan’s bowlers dominated from the start, dismissing the visitors for just 90 to cap off a memorable and historic home series victory.
Earlier, Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s women’s cricket captain urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) that they should launch a women’s cricket league soon.
She was speaking in Lahore when she said that a better structure and international exposure would significantly increase team performance ahead of major tournaments.
It was emphasised by her that the importance of a proper women’s cricket league in Pakistan. She further said it was long-awaited.
She also suggested that if foreign players are introduced in domestic competitions, it will help raise the overall standard of women’s cricket in the country.
