(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Pakistan Women’s Captain Fatima Sana Joins The Hundred via Wildcard Draft
Pakistan women’s team captain Fatima Sana has been signed by Birmingham Phoenix to feature in this year’s edition of The Hundred after being selected through the wildcard draft.
She will become the first Pakistani player to participate in the women’s competition this season. The all-rounder has filled the team’s fourth overseas slot, which became available after Cricket Australia withdrew seamer Lucy Hamilton to manage player workload.
Fatima Sana is set to earn the tournament’s minimum salary of £15,000 (approximately Rs. 5.6 million). However, her participation may be affected by Pakistan’s scheduled tour of Sri Lanka, which overlaps with part of the tournament.
Earlier this year, she had gone unsold in the women’s auction along with teammate Sadia Iqbal. The wildcard selection has now provided her an opportunity to join the league despite not being picked initially.
Her selection came shortly after a strong performance against South Africa at Edgbaston, where she contributed both with bat and ball. Batting lower down the order, she scored an unbeaten half-century and also took three wickets in the same match.
Fatima Sana is now among a small group of Pakistani players featuring in The Hundred this season. Her inclusion adds to Pakistan’s representation in the tournament following selections in both men’s and women’s squads.
The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16 this year. This season follows structural changes in the competition after franchise ownership stakes were transferred to private investors.
The tournament continues to feature international players from various countries, contributing to a highly competitive and globally diverse event.
