Nashra Sandhu's 6 for 7 sends Pakistan into the Women's Asia Cup semi-finals

The left-arm spinner became the first Pakistan bowler to take six wickets in a women's T20 international, and Hong Kong were bowled out for 71

Nashra Sandhu took 6 for 7 as Pakistan beat Hong Kong by 72 runs at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium to claim the last semi-final place in the Women's Asia Cup.

It is the first six-wicket haul by a Pakistan bowler in women's T20 internationals, and it turned a modest defence into a rout.

Pakistan will play Sri Lanka in the second semi-final on 11 September.

A total that should not have been enough

Pakistan batted first and made 143 for 8 from their 20 overs, a score that looked workable rather than commanding on a surface that had held up all tournament.

Shawaal Zulfiqar was the difference in the innings, pacing 47 from 35 balls while wickets fell steadily at the other end.

Against a side that had lost every group match it was probably sufficient. What followed made the question academic.

Pakistan lost wickets throughout, and 143 for 8 reflects an innings that never found a stable partnership. On another night that would have been the story of the match.

Sandhu takes the game apart

Hong Kong were dismissed for 71 in 19 overs. Sandhu's figures of 6 for 7 account for most of that on their own.

Left-arm spin has been Pakistan's most reliable resource in this tournament, and Sandhu's control was the point rather than any dramatic turn — she conceded barely a run an over across her spell while taking six wickets.

She is the same bowler Harmanpreet Kaur struck for a four and a six off successive deliveries to finish India's chase two days earlier, which is a fair illustration of how quickly a reputation moves in a short tournament.

Hong Kong, who came into the tournament as the weakest side in a strong Group A, had no answer. The innings lasted 19 overs and never threatened to make a contest of a chase of 144.

How the semi-finals fell out

India and Sri Lanka were the only two sides to come through the group stage unbeaten, India winning all three in Group A and Sri Lanka doing the same in Group B.

Pakistan's win settles the second semi-final as Sri Lanka against Pakistan on 11 September. India's opponent in the first semi-final on 10 September depends on the remaining Group B match between the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh.

Both semi-finals are at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The cross-group format means the two unbeaten sides cannot meet before the final, so a first Asia Cup meeting between India and Sri Lanka this tournament would have to wait for the title match.

What it means for Pakistan

Pakistan reached the last four having been bowled out for 55 against India earlier in the week, the sort of defeat that usually ends a campaign rather than pausing it.

They now face a Sri Lanka side that has not lost in the tournament, and they do so with a bowler who has just produced the best figures any Pakistan woman has recorded in the format.

Whether the batting can supply enough to defend is the question the group stage never really answered.

Scorecard: Pakistan Women 143 for 8 in 20 overs; Hong Kong Women 71 all out in 19 overs, Pakistan Women won by 72 runs.

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.