Pakistan captain Fatima Sana smashed the fastest half-century in women’s T20I history during the third match against Zimbabwe in Karachi, reaching the milestone in just 15 balls.
The record had previously been jointly held by Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield, and Richa Ghosh, who had all brought up their fifties in 18 balls.
Fatima’s explosive knock also equals the fastest fifty recorded in women’s T20 cricket overall.
Her innings instantly invited comparisons with Shahid Afridi, long known for his own record-breaking hitting, as the Pakistan skipper tore through Zimbabwe’s bowling in a breathtaking late assault.
Fatima came to the crease with Pakistan already well placed at 152 for 4 in 16.2 overs. After opening with a boundary, she quickly shifted gears and ripped apart the attack with a flurry of fours and sixes. A 24-run 19th over left her on 48 from just 14 balls, and she completed her fifty with two runs in the final over.
She eventually remained unbeaten on 62 off 19 balls, hammering 10 fours and two sixes, while Saira Jabeen also finished unbeaten on 50 off 32 balls. Pakistan ended on 223 for 4, their second-highest total in women’s T20Is.
Zimbabwe never came close in the chase and were bowled out for 90, with Pakistan sealing a huge win. Fatima also chipped in with the ball, returning 1 for 28.
The innings further underlined her growing importance in Pakistan’s T20 setup. She is now Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is this year, with 229 runs in five innings at a stunning strike rate of 206.30.
