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Fatima Sana Creates History With Fastest Fifty in Women’s T20Is

  • By Thetripurapost Sports Desk, Karachi
  • May 16, 2026
  • 249

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has created a new world record for the fastest half-century in women’s T20 International cricket. She smashed a stunning fifty off just 15 balls during the third T20I against Zimbabwe women's national cricket team in Karachi.

The explosive knock broke the previous record of 18-ball fifties jointly held by Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield, and India’s Richa Ghosh. For Pakistan, the earlier record belonged to Nida Dar, who had reached a fifty in 20 balls against South Africa in 2019.

Fatima’s innings is now regarded as the fastest fifty in women’s international T20 cricket as well as overall women’s T20 cricket. Previously, 15-ball fifties in domestic women’s T20s were achieved by Mary Kelly for Warwickshire in 2022 and Laura Harris for Otago in 2025.

Blistering Knock Changes the Match

Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat first. Fatima Sana arrived at the crease in the 17th over with Pakistan at 152/4 and immediately launched an aggressive assault.

She struck a boundary off her very first delivery and later hammered four consecutive fours off bowler Kudzai Chigora. Her most destructive over came against Nomvelo Sibanda in the 19th over, where she smashed 24 runs through a sequence of 4, 4, 6, 6, and 4.

Fatima reached her historic half-century with a two in the final over and finished unbeaten on 62 off just 19 deliveries, including 10 fours and two sixes.

Pakistan Register Second-Highest T20I Total

Powered by Fatima Sana’s fireworks and an unbeaten fifty from Saira Jabeen, Pakistan posted 223/4 in 20 overs — the second-highest T20I total in the country’s women’s cricket history. Pakistan’s highest total remains 237, scored earlier in the same series.

In reply, Zimbabwe were bowled out for just 90 runs. Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu shared five wickets between them, while captain Fatima Sana also chipped in with one wicket.

Outstanding Form in 2026

Fatima Sana has emerged as Pakistan’s standout performer in women’s T20 cricket this year. She is currently Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in women’s T20Is in 2026, amassing 229 runs in five innings at a remarkable strike rate of 206.30 — the best among women batters facing more than 10 balls this year.

Before this record-breaking innings, her best performance this year came against South Africa women's national cricket team in February, where she blasted 90 runs off just 41 deliveries.