Fatima Sana smashes fastest fifty in women's T20Is

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has broken the record for the fastest half-century in women's T20Is. getting to the mark in just 15 balls against Zimbabwe in the third T20I in Karachi. Sana broke the record previously held by three players - Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield. Richa Ghosh - who had scored their fifties off 18 balls.

Sana's fifty is also the joint-fastest in women's T20s (where data is available). That record is also held by Marie Kelly for Warwickshire against Gloucestershire (2022). by Laura Harris for Otago against Canterbury in the Super Smash (2025). Nida Dar previously held the record for the fastest fifty for Pakistan - a 20-ball effort in 2019 against South Africa.

Sana broke the record after Pakistan opted to bat in the final T20I,. came out to bat when they were 152 for 4 in 16.2 overs. She started with a four off her first ball against Michelle Mavunga. after a single next ball, tore into Kudzai Chigora with four fours in a row. She topped it with a sequence of 4, 4, 6, 6,. 4 against Nomvelo Sibanda in the 19th over that went for 24 runs and left Sana on 48 off 14 with an over to go. Saira Jabeen had meanwhile moved to 49 off 31 at the other end.

Sana got to her historic half-century with two runs off Zimunu on the second ball of the last over. finished off the innings with two more fours to finish unbeaten on 62 off just 19 balls. Jabeen was unbeaten on 50 off 32 as Pakistan posted 223 for 4. their second-highest total in the format, after the 237 they had amassed in the opening game of the series. Sana finished with 10 fours and two sixes on the night. In the chase, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 90, with Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu combining to take five wickets. Sana finished with figures of 1 for 28 in 2.1 overs with the ball.

Sana is the top-scorer for Pakistan in T20Is this year. with a tally of 229 from five innings at a scintillating strike rate of 206.30, the best among women's T20Is in 2026 who have faced more than 10 balls. Her highest T20I score of 90 off 41 also came this year. against South Africa in the opening game of the three-match series in February.