As the sixth edition of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup gears up for a UAE showdown from 28 August to 13 September 2026, revisiting the tournament’s most devastating bowling spells offers both inspiration and a benchmark for what’s possible on Asia’s biggest T20 stage. Across five editions, only a handful of bowlers have claimed four or more wickets in an innings, and among them, five stand out as the very best bowling figures in Women’s T20 Asia Cup history, each defined by precision, pressure, and match-winning impact.
Wongpaka Liengprasert (Thailand): 4–0–12–5 vs Sri Lanka, Kuala Lumpur, 9 June 2018
Thailand’s off-spin all-rounder Wongpaka Liengprasert produced a career-best 4-0-12-5 in the first innings against Sri Lanka during the third edition at Kuala Lumpur, helping restrict the Islanders before Thailand chased down 105 to win by four wickets. Her five-wicket haul earned her the Player of the Match and underlined her role as Thailand’s leading wicket-taker that tournament, finishing with nine wickets at 4.66 and an economy of 3.76 across four innings. Thailand ended fifth on the points table with four points from five games, including two victories, but Wongpaka’s spell remains a landmark for associate nations in the competition.
Omaima Sohail (Pakistan): 4–0–13–5 vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet, 11 October 2022
In the fourth edition at Sylhet, Pakistan’s promising batting all-rounder Omaima Sohail spun a web around Sri Lanka with 4-0-13-5 in the first innings, setting up a five-wicket chase of 113 that Pakistan completed comfortably. Recognised as Player of the Match, she finished as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker and the joint second-highest in the tournament with 10 wickets at 8.80 and an economy of 4.63 across six innings. Though Pakistan, led by Bismah Maroof, fell by one run to Sri Lanka in the second semi-final, Omaima’s five-for remains among the most economical and influential spells in the tournament’s recent history.
Nida Dar (Pakistan): 4–0–21–5 vs Sri Lanka, Kuala Lumpur, 6 June 2018
Former Pakistan captain Nida Dar showcased her off-spin mastery in the third edition with 4-0-21-5 in the second innings against Sri Lanka at Kuala Lumpur, a performance that helped Pakistan secure a 23-run win and the Player of the Match award. She topped the tournament’s wicket tally with 11 wickets at 7.27 and an economy of 4.10 across five innings, delivering both a four-wicket and a five-wicket haul as Pakistan finished third on the points table with six points from five games. Nida’s ability to break partnerships and strangle the middle order defined Pakistan’s campaign and cemented her legacy as one of the competition’s most consistent performers.
Malsha Shehani (Sri Lanka): 1.5–0–2–4 vs Malaysia, Sylhet, 8 October 2022
Sri Lanka’s Malsha Shehani delivered a breathtaking burst in the fourth edition at Sylhet, returning 1.5-0-2-4 against Malaysia in the second innings to help bowl out the opposition and power a 72-run victory. Awarded Player of the Match for her all-round impact, she finished the tournament with four wickets at 11.00 and an economy of 5.61 across five innings as Sri Lanka marched to the final, eventually finishing runners-up after an eight-wicket defeat to India. Though a four-wicket spell, its economy and timing make it one of the most efficient and match-defining figures in the event’s history.
Nida Dar (Pakistan): 3.4–0–5–4 vs Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 7 June 2018
Nida Dar’s second entry on this list comes from the same 2018 edition, where she claimed 3.4-0-5-4 against Malaysia in the second innings at Kuala Lumpur, helping Pakistan to a colossal 147-run win and another Player of the Match nod. The spell highlighted her control and penetration on a surface that offered turn, and it complemented her broader tournament dominance as the leading wicket-taker. With Pakistan finishing third, Nida’s twin four-wicket-plus efforts against Malaysia and Sri Lanka remain a template for how spin can dictate outcomes in women’s T20 cricket at the continental level.
As eyes turn to the UAE for the 2026 edition, these five spells set the standard for what it takes to be remembered when the pressure is highest, and the margin for error is smallest.
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