On Monday, May 04, 2026, Pakistan’s women’s cricket team crushed their opponents, Zimbabwe, by 168 runs in the first ODI at the National Stadium in Karachi. The game, which is part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship, saw records being broken in both the batting and bowling departments as Pakistan prepare to take part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The toss was won by Zimbabwe captain Nomvelo Sibanda, who chose to field, but the move soon backfired as Pakistan’s batters took full control of the game from the first overs.
Pakistan Post Third-Highest ODI Total With Four Half-Centuries
Pakistan completed on 330/5 in their 50 overs, their third-highest total ever in women’s ODI cricket. It was a complete batting performance, top to bottom, with four players scoring half-centuries in the same day.
Sadaf Shamas was leading by example with 98 off 130 balls at the top of the order, just missing out on what would have been a well-deserved century. She opened with 162 with Gull Feroza, who added 50 runs. That partnership is now the third-highest by any wicket by Pakistan in women’s ODIs. It is a major milestone by a side that is developing serious batting depth.
Sidra Amin added 67 runs to keep the momentum going in the middle overs, while wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi finished unbeaten on 56. The knock of Alvi was especially conspicuous; she raised her fifty in only 24 hits, the quickest half-century by any Pakistan batter in the history of women’s ODI.
Zimbabwe Collapse Despite Biza’s Fighting Half-Century
In pursuit of 331, Zimbabwe never appeared to be in the race. Their innings collapsed to 162 in 36.4 overs, which gave Pakistan a winning margin of 168 runs, the second-largest winning margin in runs in the history of Pakistan women’s ODI.
The only Zimbabwe batter who resisted was Beloved Biza, who hit 53 off 53 balls with eight fours. She was violent and had intent, but wickets continued to fall around her at regular intervals, and her side never formed any meaningful partnerships.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana headed the bowling attack brilliantly, and she ended with a figure of 2/28 in five overs. Syeda Aroob Shah and Tasmia Rubab both contributed two wickets each, with Momina Riasat and Nashra Sundhu contributing one each. The fielding of Pakistan was keen all through, and two run-outs only added to the woes of Zimbabwe.
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Pakistan Eye T20 World Cup Glory After Dominant Display
The timing of this performance could not be better for Pakistan. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will start on June 12 in England and Wales, and Pakistan have been placed in Group 1 alongside Australia, India, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and South Africa, a tough group that will test every aspect of their game.
Wins like this one build confidence and form ahead of major tournaments. The batting line-up seems to be settled, the bowlers are taking wickets, and the team seems to be in good rhythm.
Pakistan will now play Zimbabwe in the second ODI on May 6 in Karachi, and the third on May 9. This will be followed by a three-match T20I series with the same opposition before the squad travels to England.
All three of those matches will give the team further opportunity to fine-tune their combinations before the tournament begins. According to their performance on Monday, Pakistan are definitely in the mood.
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