Fatima Sana Confident Pakistan Are Ready for Women’s T20 Asia Cup
Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana says her side is well prepared for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup after an intensive training camp at the National Cricket Academy.
Pakistan focused heavily on handling pressure during its preparations for the tournament.
The team also played competitive 20-over matches against the men’s side of the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy.
Practice Matches Focus on Pressure Situations
The practice matches included both teenage and senior players.
Pakistan played them as full competitive contests rather than scenario-based exercises. The goal was to expose the players to tougher opposition.
The team also aimed to recreate the pressure and intensity of competitive cricket.
“We are well prepared for the tournament,” Fatima Sana said. “We have played competitive matches against boys in which we were put under pressure. These learnings will help us adapt to the challenges of the competition.”
Pakistan Look to Improve in Crucial Moments
Handling pressure has become a key focus after Pakistan’s recent struggles in important matches.
Pakistan won only one of its five matches at this year’s T20 World Cup. The team defeated the Netherlands but missed opportunities against South Africa and Bangladesh.
Pakistan also struggled against India and Australia.
Fatima said the recent practice matches specifically targeted those weaknesses.
“We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better, and that is something which is highlighted whenever there is a big tournament,” she said.
“These matches have helped us on that front, and the difference will be visible. It is very important to stay calm in pressure situations rather than pressing the panic button.”
She said the players have been encouraged to trust their preparation during decisive moments.
“We have told the girls to stay calm in the crunch moments and stay in control by trusting their hard work and executing the plans.”
Fatima Sana Returns After The Hundred
Fatima Sana was one of Pakistan’s standout performers at the T20 World Cup.
She finished as the joint-second-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets. She also emerged as the tournament’s leading pace bowler.
The all-rounder scored an unbeaten 55 from 38 balls against South Africa.
She finished the tournament with a batting average of 21.25 and a strike rate of 110.38.
Fatima will now return to lead Pakistan in T20Is. She missed the three-match series in Sri Lanka while playing in The Hundred.
Pakistan lost that series 2-1.
First Pakistan Woman to Play in The Hundred
Fatima represented Birmingham Phoenix after the team selected her in the replacement draft.
She became the first Pakistan woman cricketer to play in the competition.
“It was exciting to play in The Hundred as all eyes were on me because I was the first-ever woman cricketer [from Pakistan] to play in the competition,” she said.
She took three wickets at an average of 37.66. She also scored 57 runs at an average of 19 for Birmingham Phoenix.
“It is always a great honour to represent Pakistan. I wanted to do my best, and thankfully, I was able to do well, which I hope will open the doors for more women in the competition,” Sana added.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup Schedule
The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will take place in Dubai from August 28 to September 13.
Pakistan are in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Pakistan will begin its campaign against Thailand on September 1. The team will then face India on September 5.
Its final group-stage match will come against Hong Kong on September 7.
Fatima believes the conditions in Dubai could benefit Pakistan.
“Definitely, the conditions in Dubai are similar to Pakistan, and we are well aware of how we have to play in them,” she said.
