Nashra Sandhu 6 For 7 Sends Pakistan Into Women's Asia Cup Semi-Final

Nashra Sandhu, 6 for 7 from four overs, bowled Pakistan into the Women's Asia Cup semi-finals. Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 72 runs in Dubai on Monday. The win confirmed second place in Group A. Sandhu's figures are the best returned by a Pakistan bowler in women's T20 internationals.

Pakistan made 143 for 8. Hong Kong were bowled out for 71 in the 19th over. Sandhu took the player of the match award. Pakistan meet Sri Lanka at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday.

Sandhu's four overs

The left-arm spinner conceded 1.75 runs an over. Six of the ten Hong Kong wickets were hers. Pakistan used five bowlers in all. Sadia Iqbal, Ayesha Zafar, Umm-e-Hani and Fatima Sana took one each. The innings ended with an over unused.

A total of 143 proved enough

Shawaal Zulfiqar top-scored with 47 from 35 balls. She hit six fours. Ayesha Zafar made 26 from 19. Fatima Sana finished on 24 not out from 24 balls with two sixes.

Hong Kong bowled well for most of it. Joyleen Kaur took 4 for 19 from her four overs. Kary Chan and Iqra Sahar took two each, according to The News International. Pakistan lost eight wickets reaching their total.

The chase never settled. Hong Kong's highest score was a 47-ball 30. The innings lasted 19 overs.

Group A ends with India in front

India topped the group with three wins. Pakistan came second. Hong Kong finished without a win. The result also ended Thailand's hopes of a semi-final place.

Two days earlier India had bowled Pakistan out for 55. India won that match by seven wickets with 68 balls to spare. Shree Charani and Prema Rawat did the damage, according to ESPNcricinfo. The turnaround took 48 hours.

Dubai has staged every match in this tournament. Pakistan played their whole group programme at the ground. The venue takes both semi-finals and the final as well.

One semi-final place still open

India's opponent was not settled when Pakistan finished. UAE and Bangladesh meet in the last Group B match on Tuesday. The winner takes second place in that group. Sri Lanka had already won it, beating Bangladesh on Sunday.

Sri Lanka next in Dubai

Sri Lanka reached the knockout round unbeaten, as India did. Every remaining match is at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

• Semi-final 1: India v the second-placed Group B side, Thursday 10 September
• Semi-final 2: Sri Lanka v Pakistan, Friday 11 September
• Final: Sunday 13 September

Pakistan and Sri Lanka did not meet in the group stage. Both semi-finals begin at 8pm Indian time. The toss is half an hour earlier. The two winners meet on Sunday.