Fatima Sana insists batting must improve despite reaching Women's Asia Cup semi-finals

DUBAI: Pakistan women's cricket team captain Fatima Sana has said that her team's commanding 72-run win over Hong Kong was a timely confidence booster before they prepare for a high-stakes semi-final meeting with Sri Lanka in Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026. Pakistan Women confirmed their place in the final four after sealing a must-win Group A game in Dubai, with Nashra Sandhu's haul of 6 wickets which helped Pakistan dismiss Hong Kong for 71 while defending 143. Pakistan will play the mighty Sri Lanka, a team yet to lose their fixtures, on September 11 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Fatima Sana, while speaking at the post-match ceremony, called attention to their batting line-up being the one that immediately needs to be rectified, claiming they failed to spin the strike, lost much valued partnerships. She admitted that bowling has been brilliant throughout the match, providing match winning opportunities, but the top and middle-order batters really do have to assume responsibility in setting up consistent platforms, spinning the strike well when up against potent spinners. Now that the semi-final knockout match is confirmed the Pakistan team management will hold critical strategic team meetings to plug the loopholes in these tactics prior to their showdown with Sri Lanka. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Asian Cricket Council (@asiancricketcouncil) Sana added that one little mistake is critical in knockout games and that precision in tactical approach will only seal their spot in the final, but stated that coming into their next game at Dubai, she feels confident that if they work upon these flaws as they get them on open discussion and focus more on specific tasks, their side will come out all guns blazing against an odds-on Sri Lanka side to be beaten.