Pakistan women will face Sri Lanka in the second semi-final of ongoing Asia Cup 2026.
Pakistan women defeated Hong Kong women in their final group stage game by 72 runs in Dubai on September 7 in the ongoing ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 tournament. After the game, as Pakistan women’s coach Wahab Riaz came out to greet the Pakistan fans, he was bombarded with requests to defeat India and told that they didn’t care about the trophy.
Notably, India had crushed Pakistan in their group stage game. Pakistan was bowled out for 55 runs in Dubai after choosing to bat first. India then lost the game inside 9 overs, by 7 wickets.
Pakistan had to defeat Hong Kong in their final group game, and despite struggling against HK Women bowlers, Pakistan managed 143/8 in 20 overs, with Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scoring with 47 and Ayesha Zafar making 26 runs. In response, Hong Kong was bowled out for 71 runs, with Nashra Sandhu taking 6/7 and giving her team a win by 72 runs.
Wahab Riaz, the head coach of Pakistan's women's cricket team, spoke with Pakistani supporters at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and thanked them for their support after Pakistan defeated Hong Kong, China, in their third Group A match.
A fervent Pakistani fan made a particular request of Wahab as he was interacting with the crowd. He shouted at the former Pakistani pacer that Pakistani supporters want the Women's team to defeat India women rather than lift the Asia Cup trophy.
“Wahab sahab, India par koshish karein. Wahab bhai, India ko beat karna hai humne. Humein (Asia Cup) trophy nahi chahiye, India ko humne harana hai. India nahi chhodna," the fan can be heard saying.
On Friday, September 11, Pakistan will play Sri Lanka, the reigning champions, in the second semifinal of the Women's Asia Cup 2026. The two bitter rivals will square off in the top match on Sunday, September 13, in Dubai, if Pakistan defeats Sri Lanka and India wins the first semifinal.