Fatima Sana etched her name into the record books after smashing the fastest half-century in Women’s T20I history during Pakistan’s third T20I against Zimbabwe in Karachi. The Pakistan skipper raced to fifty in only 15 deliveries, surpassing the previous benchmark of 18 balls jointly held by Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield and Richa Ghosh. The Indian wicketkeeper scored her fifty off 18 balls during the clash against the West Indies on December 2024.
Her breathtaking knock also equalled the fastest fifty recorded in all women’s T20 cricket, matching feats achieved by Marie Kelly for Warwickshire in 2022 and Laura Harris for Otago in the 2025 Super Smash. Before Sana’s blitz, Pakistan’s quickest T20I fifty belonged to Nida Dar, who had reached the landmark in 20 balls against South Africa in 2019.
Batting first in the series finale, Pakistan were already well-placed at 152/4 when Sana walked in during the 17th over. She wasted little time settling in, collecting a boundary off her opening delivery from Michelle Mavunga before launching a fierce assault on the Zimbabwe bowlers. Kudzai Chigora bore the brunt first as Sana hammered four consecutive boundaries in one over.
The real carnage arrived in the 19th over against Nomvelo Sibanda. Sana unleashed a sequence of 4, 4, 6, 6 and 4, plundering 24 runs from the over and moving to 48 from just 14 balls. At the opposite end, Saira Jabeen also played a fluent hand.
Sana brought up the record-breaking milestone with a couple off the bowling of Zimunu in the final over before finishing unbeaten on a stunning 62 from only 19 deliveries, an innings decorated with 10 fours and two sixes. Jabeen remained not out on 50 from 32 balls as Pakistan piled up 223/4, their second-highest total in Women’s T20Is.
Zimbabwe never threatened in reply and were dismissed for 90. Pakistan’s bowling unit dominated, with Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu sharing five wickets, while Sana also chipped in with 1/28.
Sana has enjoyed a sensational run in T20Is this year. She is currently Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the format in 2026, amassing 229 runs in five innings at a strike rate above 206. Earlier this year, she also produced her career-best T20I score — a blistering 90 off 41 balls against South Africa.
FASTEST FIFTIES IN WOMEN’S T20IS
- Fatima Sana (Pakistan Women) – 15 balls vs Zimbabwe Women, Karachi (May 15, 2026)
- Sophie Devine (New Zealand Women) – 18 balls vs India Women, Bengaluru (July 11, 2015)
- Phoebe Litchfield (Australia Women) – 18 balls vs West Indies Women, Sydney (October 2, 2023)
- Richa Ghosh (India Women) – 18 balls vs West Indies Women, DY Patil Stadium (December 19, 2024)
- Nida Dar (Pakistan Women) – 20 balls vs South Africa Women, Benoni (May 22, 2019)
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