Fatima Sana had one of the few bright moments for Pakistan during their crushing Women’s Asia Cup defeat to India, but her animated send-off to Shafali Verma quickly became a talking point after the Pakistan captain dismissed the Indian opener. Yet, during India’s chase, Sana briefly gave her team hope by removing three of India’s top order batters. Pakistan were eventually beaten by seven wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday after being bowled out for just 55.
Shafali had started the chase in spectacular fashion, launching the first delivery from Sadia Iqbal over long-off for six. Sana, however, ended Shafali’s brief stay soon after. A delivery from the Pakistan captain took a leading edge off the bat and returned towards her, allowing Sana to complete the caught-and-bowled dismissal.
The shot also came on a landmark day for the Indian opener, who became the youngest batter to cross 3,000 runs in women’s T20Is at 22 years and 220 days. She reached the milestone after facing 2,182 balls, moving past Australia’s Alyssa Healy, whose previous mark stood at 2,321 deliveries. Pakistan slipped from 27 without loss to 55 all out, losing six wickets for only 12 runs during the collapse. The final score became Pakistan’s lowest ever total in women’s T20Is, surpassing their previous low of 56 against New Zealand in 2025.
‘Okay, you are showing her the way out. The Pakistan captain did not stop with Shafali. Pratika Rawal was the next batter to fall after edging behind, before Sana removed Smriti Mandhana lbw after the Indian opener had struck her for a boundary. Despite the one sided result, Sana’s three wicket burst ensured that Pakistan had at least one individual performance to take confidence from, even as the captain’s send-off to Shafali became one of the most discussed moments of the contest.
Your entire team just scored 55 runs, and now you’re sending Shafali Verma back,’ commentator Vivek Razdan said on air. That burst left India at 29 for three in the fourth over and made Sana only the fourth bowler from a Full Member nation to claim three wickets during the powerplay of a women’s T20I on two occasions in her career.
The ICC confirmed before the tournament that the top two teams from each group would qualify for the semi-finals. The result extended India’s winning run in the tournament and kept them unbeaten at the top of Group A. The ball went back towards Sana, who held on comfortably to complete the catch.
Pakistan, meanwhile, will face Hong Kong, China on September 7 in their final group fixture. Earlier reporting noted: Fatima Sana’s fiery Shafali Verma send-off draws savage response: ‘Your entire team just scored 55’ Fatima Sana Earlier reporting noted: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana found herself at the centre of attention during her side’s Women’s Asia Cup clash against India at the Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
Earlier reporting noted: The young opener attempted to work it towards the leg side but only managed to produce a leading edge.
