Pakistan Captain Confident Ahead of Women’s T20 Asia Cup
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana believes the team is well prepared for the upcoming Women’s T20 Asia Cup after completing an intensive training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
As part of their preparations, Pakistan played competitive T20 matches against the men’s team of Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy. The practice games were designed to help players improve their decision-making and ability to perform under pressure.
The matches included both senior and teenage players and were played as complete games rather than specific practice scenarios. The coaching staff used the sessions to give the team experience against challenging opposition ahead of the tournament.
Fatima Sana Confident About Team’s Preparation
Fatima Sana said the training matches provided valuable experience and helped the players understand how to handle difficult situations during important games.
“We are well prepared for the tournament. 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.”
Managing pressure has been an important part of Pakistan’s preparations following some difficult moments in recent tournaments.
Pakistan recorded one victory in five matches at this year’s T20 World Cup, defeating the Netherlands. The team also faced challenges while playing against South Africa, Bangladesh, India and Australia.
Fatima said the recent practice matches were specifically intended to improve the team’s response in pressure situations.
“We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better, and that is something which is highlighted whenever there is a big tournament.”
She added that the players have been encouraged to remain composed, trust their preparation and follow their game plans when matches reach crucial stages.
Fatima Sana Returns to Lead Pakistan
Fatima Sana was among Pakistan’s leading performers at the T20 World Cup. She finished with 11 wickets, making her the joint-second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament and the leading pace bowler.
She also produced an impressive batting performance against South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 55 from 38 balls. Overall, she finished the tournament with a batting average of 21.25 and a strike rate of 110.38.
The all-rounder is now set to return as Pakistan’s T20I captain after missing the team’s three-match series in Sri Lanka, which Pakistan lost 2-1, while she was participating in The Hundred.
Experience in The Hundred
Fatima Sana also recently represented Birmingham Phoenix after being selected in the replacement draft. She became the first Pakistan women’s cricketer to play in The Hundred.
She took three wickets at an average of 37.66 and scored 57 runs during her stint with Phoenix.
Sana said representing Pakistan and playing in an international competition such as The Hundred was an important experience and expressed hope that more Pakistani women cricketers will receive similar opportunities in the future.
Pakistan’s Women’s T20 Asia Cup Schedule
The Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 will take place in Dubai from August 28 to September 13.
Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong.
Pakistan’s group-stage schedule is:
- September 1: Pakistan vs Thailand
- September 5: Pakistan vs India
- September 7: Pakistan vs Hong Kong
Fatima Sana is also optimistic about playing in Dubai, saying the conditions are relatively similar to those in Pakistan.
The Pakistan captain believes the team’s recent preparation, combined with familiarity with the conditions, can help the side perform strongly during the tournament.
