Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has broken the world record for the fastest fifty in women’s T20Is with a 15-ball half-century against Zimbabwe.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana now owns the fastest half-century in women’s T20I history.
Sana brought up her fifty in just 15 balls against Zimbabwe in the third and final T20I at the National Stadium in Karachi on May 17, 2026. She finished unbeaten on 62 off 19 deliveries, with 10 fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 326. Pakistan posted 223 for 4, their second-highest total in women’s T20Is, and won the match by 133 runs to sweep the series 3-0.
The 24-year-old broke the previous world record of 18 balls, jointly held by Sophie Devine of New Zealand, Phoebe Litchfield of Australia, and India’s Richa Ghosh. Her innings also tied the record for the fastest fifty in all women’s T20 cricket, matching Marie Kelly for Warwickshire in 2022 and Laura Harris for Otago in New Zealand’s Super Smash in 2025.
The record for fastest fifty by a Pakistani in T20Is previously belonged to Nida Dar, who reached the mark in 20 balls against South Africa in 2019.
Pakistan Vs Zimbabwe: Fatima Sana 15-Ball Fifty
Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss. Sana walked in at number six when Pakistan were 152 for 4 in the 17th over.
She struck a four off her very first ball from Michelle Mavunga. After a single off the next ball, she tore into Kudzai Chigora with four boundaries in a row. The defining over came in the second last of the innings, when Sana smashed Nomvelo Sibanda for 4, 4, 6, 6, and 4 in a 24-run over. That took her to 48 off 14 balls.
She reached the historic fifty off her 15th delivery, nudging a Zimunu ball for two on the second ball of the final over. Two more boundaries followed before she remained not out on 62.
Pakistan Captain Fatima Sana Form in 2026
Sana is the top-scorer for Pakistan in T20Is this year, with 229 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 206.30. That is the best among any women’s T20I batter in 2026 who has faced more than 10 balls. Her career-best T20I score of 90 off 41 also came earlier this year, against South Africa in February.
Born on November 8, 2001, in Karachi, Sana made her international debut against South Africa in May 2019. The Pakistan Cricket Board named her captain in August 2024 ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. She is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and a right-hand batter who is known for swinging the new ball both ways.
The 15-ball fifty puts Sana at the top of a global list previously dominated by players from Australia, New Zealand, and India. Pakistan next move into preparations for the T20 World Cup buildup. With both bat and ball clicking for their captain, the team heads into the next phase with fresh momentum.
