At 67 for 5 in the 12th over, Pakistan  were under the cosh against Bqngladesh  in their bronze-medal playoff at the  Asian Games women’s competition. That’s when Fatima  Sana  walked out, slammed 45 in 30 balls, and gave Pakistan 145, which was 31 too many for Bangladesh, especially after Umm-e-Hani picked up three top- and middle-order wickets to end with 3 for 10 from her four overs.

Bangladesh’s big concern, of  late and in general, has been the number of dot balls they play out in a typical T20 innings. In this game, it was a marginal improvement from the loss to India in the semi-final – they had 43 dot balls here compared to 61 in that game. But it was still fewer than the 48 they bowled to Pakistan in the first half. The difference was Sana, who scored at 150.00 to change the complexion of the contest.

Pakistan’s start had been decent, thanks to Gull  Feroza, after they won the toss and opted to bat. Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar added 46 in 41 balls before being separated in the seventh over. The one to be dismissed was Feroza, who had scored 31 in 23 balls. Zulfiqar batted on before becoming the third batter to fall, having struggled to 17 off 27 balls. And the wickets kept falling, Shorna Akter picking up two of them to leave Pakistan in a mess with five batters gone.

Sana had a solid stand for the sixth wicket with Aliya Riyaz,  who scored 25 in 22 balls and added 67 with Sana in just 43 balls. The control Bangladesh had was gone with the two hitting five sixes between them.

The target for Bangladesh, which looked like it might be in the region of 100, was suddenly closer to 150. And the chase never took off. Umm-e-Hani struck in the third over, then in the fifth over, and again in the 16th over. By then, Bangladesh were floundering: 77 for 5 with under five overs to go.

The resistance came from senior pro Sharmin Akther,  who scored an unbeaten 46 in 45 balls, but there was nothing around her, and Pakistan ran out comfortable, 31-run victors.

Scores:

Pakistan women  145 for 8 in 20 overs  (Shawaal Zulfiqar 17,  Fatima Sana 45, Gull Feroza 31, Aliya Riyaz 25; Sanija Akter Meghla 1-28, Nahida Akter 2-21, Shorna Akter 2-16, Ritu Moni 2-27) beat Bangladesh women 114 for 7 in 20 overs (Dilara Akter 12, Nigar Sultana 25, Sharmin Akhter 46*, Nahida Akter 10*; Tasmia  Rubab 1-25, Fatima Sana 1-25, Umm-e-Hani 3-10, Nashra Sandhu 1-19, Ayesha Zafar 1-10) by 31 runs  

(Cricinfo)

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 22 SEPTEMBER 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 22 September 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The low-pressure area that was prevailing over the sea area of the Bay of Bengal, to the northeast of the island, has now developed into a depression. It is expected to further develop into a deep depression within the next 24 hours.

Although this system will not have a direct impact on Sri
Lanka, the prevailing rainy conditions in the southwestern part of the island are expected to continue due to the wind flow towards the system.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara Districts. Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the above areas.

Several spells of showers may occur in the North-central province and Mannar district. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Uva province and in Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 2.00 p.m.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the Central hills, the North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matale Districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary by
temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.