[PICTURES] Fatima Sana: Pakistan women's cricket team captain and all-rounder

[FearlessRoar]

At 22, Fatima Sana has risen to captain Pakistan's women's cricket team, defying odds and breaking barriers. Her cricket journey started on Karachi's streets, where she honed her skills playing tape-ball cricket with her brothers. Her eldest brother, Shehroz, encouraged her to pursue cricket, registering her at a local academy.

Sana's impressive performances earned her a spot in Pakistan's under-21 team at 13 and senior domestic cricket at 15. Her breakthrough came in 2019 when she was selected for a domestic T20 championship, taking seven wickets in seven matches. This success led to her debut in Pakistan's national team and recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC). She became the first Pakistani woman to win the ICC Women's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award.

Despite Pakistan's limited women's cricket infrastructure, Sana remains optimistic. She credits international exposure for her growth and aims to lead her team to success in the T20 World Cup. Sana's mantra is "attacking cricket, handling pressure, and staying calm." She draws inspiration from mentors Sana Mir, Heather Knight, and MS Dhoni.

As captain, Sana seeks to change Pakistan's fortunes. With her all-round skills and bold leadership, she's determined to make teams wary of facing Pakistan. Pakistan's coach, Muhammad Wasim, believes Sana "ticks all the boxes as a captain," understanding the game well and commanding respect from the team.

However, leading her team in an international tournament poses a different challenge. Pakistan has historically struggled in the T20 World Cup, never progressing past the group stage. But Sana remains undeterred, focused on living in the present and giving her best.

Sana's rise to captaincy is a testament to her hard work and dedication. From Karachi's streets to the international stage, she's breaking barriers for women's cricket in Pakistan. With her leadership, Pakistan may finally shake off its unenviable record and make a mark in the T20 World Cup.

 

[FearlessRoar]

From 84/8 to 116 all out, Fatima Sana staged a remarkable recovery for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

 

[sweep_shot]

From 84/8 to 116 all out, Fatima Sana staged a remarkable recovery for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

She did well with the bat.

Strike-rate of 150.

 

[Rana]

She got rid of SL’s big batter out too. Massive impact in this match

 

[RyanRyan10]

She got rid of SL’s big batter out too. Massive impact in this match

30 (20) With thr bat

Captain leading from the front

 

[Cricket Warrior]

For her match winning performance against Sri Lanka, where she scored 30 off 20 and picked up 2 wickets, Fatima Sana was awarded the Player of the Match award.

 

[shamaan]

Brilliant performance from Sana.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Perhaps the only one in the team with a 110+ SR. 113 isn't great either but for a Pak female player it is an achievement.

She needs to bat a bit higher as No.7 is a bit low for her. 5-6 should be a good slot for her to bat deep and take the score higher and quicker.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

She played a great knock today and led from the front as captain.

 

[FearlessRoar]

For her match winning performance against Sri Lanka, where she scored 30 off 20 and picked up 2 wickets, Fatima Sana was awarded the Player of the Match award.

When Fatima Sana was named Pakistan's captain for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, many questioned the decision. However, the 22-year-old has silenced her critics with a stellar performance against Sri Lanka.

Fatima led from the front, scoring 30 runs off 20 balls and taking two crucial wickets to help Pakistan win by 31 runs. Her fearless approach on a challenging pitch and leadership skills have impressed many.

At 22 years and 330 days, Fatima became the third-youngest captain in a T20 World Cup match. She has already shown signs of a promising all-rounder, with 41 ODIs and 44 T20Is under her belt since her debut in 2019.

Fatima's ambition is to become the fastest bowler in international cricket, surpassing Shabnim Ismail's record. With her speed and skill, she has the potential to become one of the best all-rounders globally.

Pakistan Cricket Board's support will be crucial in nurturing Fatima's talent. If she maintains her fitness, energy, and consistency, Pakistan may produce a world-class cricketer.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

She bowls around 95k to 105k and his main wicket taking delivery is a slow knuckle ball which deviates off the surface in any direction.

Fastest bowler in the world??? Shabnam clocked 132k

 

[deltexas]

Good to see pak womens team performing good. Good fightback and recovery and beating a strong SL team . The SL womens team has been very good recently and had beaten Ind in the Asia Cup SF. Still, Eng and SA are absolute faves from Pak's group to qualify for SF.s. If pak and sl can cause a few upsets in this group, it will be great viewing

 

[stani_pak]

Good to see pak womens team performing good. Good fightback and recovery and beating a strong SL team . The SL womens team has been very good recently and had beaten Ind in the Asia Cup SF. Still, Eng and SA are absolute faves from Pak's group to qualify for SF.s. If pak and sl can cause a few upsets in this group, it will be great viewing

Pakistan has new zealand, australia in there group not england or south africa but that being said new zealand and australia are favorties to qualify for semi finals

 

[FearlessRoar]

Fatima Sana commits to attacking cricket as India hope for reboot

Fatima Sana vows to keep attacking as Pakistan take on arch-rivals India in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

A day ahead of the iconic clash between India and Pakistan at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, skipper Fatima Sana was riding high on confidence and sticking by the attacking brand of cricket the team has adopted.

"I have been watching that whichever team we played against - played attacking cricket," Sana said ahead of the marquee contest.

"As a bowler, I used to feel that whoever used to bowl against us, used to make to hit us from the first ball. I wanted our team to have batters who can punish the bowler from the first ball. We have worked a lot on this and you will see the result soon hopefully."

Sana walked in at No.7 in the opening game against Sri Lanka, smashing a 20-ball 30 to give Pakistan's total a final push.

The knock proved to be decisive as Pakistan trumped their Asian counterparts with Sana becoming the second-youngest captain after Meg Lanning to win a Women's T20 World Cup match.

The skipper elaborated on her ambitions as an all-rounder and hailed the influence of the power-hitting coach, that has overseen Pakistan's new approach to batting in T20s.

"I always wanted to be the number one all-rounder, because obviously bowling is a team sport but the team wins when you are good at it all, even when you are good in fielding," Sana said.

"So that's why I was trying to prove myself always in helping the team win. So, I think that was the only challenge for me. That I should take my batting along. Our power-hitting coach has helped a lot of girls. I think all the credit goes to him because he has given us the belief that you can become an all-rounder."

"If you look at the last series of South Africa, a lot of our girls have improved in power-hitting.

"I think the girls believe that even if the fielders are standing behind, if they hit, they can go for six. It's a good thing that all the girls are confident in this. Personally, I used to bat a lot before, but I didn't know if I could hit or not. But with that belief now it's become a lot easier."

Meanwhile, in the other camp, India are hoping for a fresh start after a loss to new Zealand in their opening game. Although the turnaround time is quick, bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi brushed aside any concerns.

"I mean, when we prepare for a campaign like a World Cup, so there will be back-to-back games, so every team will be having their own strengths, they will be having their own weaknesses," Salvi said in the press conference.

"So as a bowling unit, as a batting unit and as a fielding unit, we tend to have our own plans to go out there and execute."

Although the bowling unit was not at its best in the previous game against the White Ferns, Salvi dismissed it as a one-off and backed the bowlers to stick to their plans and deliver.

"It's basically just believing in your processes, what has worked for you so far. I mean, what is the sample size of certain things working for you? We just go by it.

"And for the bowling unit, obviously, they need to stay strong, stay united and stay focused on the next challenges that they will face upon.

"At the same time, they should be, I mean, whatever they have been following so far, what's been working well for them, they just go with that. So, it's just one odd game where probably someone might have gone for runs."

With just four games in the Group stage, India will know that another hiccup could be very concerning. India have only lost three of their 15 T20Is to Pakistan with the teams last clashing in the Women's Asia Cup earlier this year when India triumphed by seven wickets.

Fatima Sana commits to attacking cricket as India hope for reboot

Fatima Sana vows to keep attacking as Pakistan take on arch-rivals India in the Women's T20 World Cup 2024.

www.icc-cricket.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Fatima Sana is on a roll with two wickets in two balls and bringing Pakistan back into the game

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[Rana]

Good cricketer but her captaincy could have been a bit better.

It was too easy for India in the middle against spinners, she just let them have the game without much threat

 

[RyanRyan10]

She fought like a lioness

 

[BouncerGuy]

Fatima Sana's father, the captain of the Pakistan Women's cricket team, passed away today in Karachi.

Fatima Sana will depart for Karachi on the first available flight today.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Mohsin Naqvi has expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the sad demise of Fatima Sana father.

In his condolence message Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi prayed that Allah Almighty may rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.

Meanwhile players and management of Pakistan women's cricket team also expressed their deep condolence to Fatima Sana over the sad demise of her father.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Fatima Sana during the PSL Draft 2025:

"PSL is a great opportunity for the male cricketers. We hope for a similar opportunity for women cricketers soon. I have seen a lot of PSL while playing cricket from a very young age."

 

[Major]

This girl is captaining the team well

 

[The Bald Eagle]

This girl is captaining the team well

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Major]

I just saw a few bowling videos of Fatima Sana. I loved how she actually uses her back to get deliver the bowl. I think she might end up becoming one of the biggest legends of women cricket from Pakistan.

The way she bowls, the way she puts her back in and delivers with force, its just amazing.

Also she seems to be a better captain and actually knows what she is doing.

 

[Ball Blazer]

ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist for April 2025 unveiled

Three standout captains from the recently concluded ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier are nominated for their exceptional displays and Pakistan's Fatima Sana is one of them.

The Scotland skipper led from the front in her team’s push for a Cricket World Cup spot during the Qualifier tournament in Pakistan.

Bryce finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer - 293 runs from her five outings, averaging an astonishing 73.25 in a run that included a ton and two half-centuries.

Against Ireland, Bryce stitched the highest individual score of the tournament, 131* off 137 deliveries, an innings that highlighted her nous with the bat.

Bryce was also handy with the ball, delivering at crucial moments for her team – collecting six wickets in the tournament.

The Scotland captain was named Player of the Tournament to mark a sensational individual performance.

Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews shone with both bat and ball to keep West Indies in the hunt for a Cricket World Cup spot until the very last game of the Qualifier.

The swashbuckling opener helped provide the Carribean side with aggressive starts – scoring 240 runs at a strike rate of 116.50, averaging 60.

Matthews was also influential with her spin bowling, closing the tournament with the most wickets - 13 at an average of 15.84.

In her side’s opening game against Scotland, Matthews put in an inspirational effort to claim four wickets, followed by a sensational century.

In the final game against Thailand, as the West Indies were required to chase down 167 inside 10.1 overs, Matthews came out all guns blazing – amassing a quickfire 70 off 29. Her efforts, however, went in vain as the side missed out on qualification by an agonising Net Run Rate margin of 0.01.

Fatima Sana (Pakistan)

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana led the charge for the hosts in an invincible Qualifier campaign that saw them win all five of their games to punch their ticket to the marquee tournament in India.

Sana finished as the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan - picking up 12 dismissals at a miserly economy rate of 3.97.

The right-arm pacer’s best bowling figures came against Scotland - 4/23 - as the Pakistan juggernaut rolled on.

Sana was also an impressive outlet with the bat, her innings of an unbeaten 62 against Thailand displaying the comprehensive nature of Pakistan’s successful campaign.

Source: ICC

 

[Ball Blazer]

WBBL 2025: Cricket Australia names Fatima Sana Among Top-Notch Overseas Contenders to Watch

When Fatima Sana first picked up a cricket ball, her idol was Ellyse Perry. Now, the Pakistan captain hopes to follow in Perry’s footsteps by joining the WBBL—a league where no Pakistani woman has played since Nida Dar. Known for swinging the ball both ways and delivering at the death, Sana’s allround ability could make her a unique asset for any club seeking variety and flair.

She’s not alone in the overseas mix. England’s Sophia Dunkley, back in form after a brief T20I exile, reminded everyone of her explosive potential with a recent 81 against the West Indies. Fellow English quick Lauren Bell, a rare bright spot in this year’s Ashes, is also in the frame after growing leaps since her stint with the Thunder.

South Africa’s Mignon du Preez returns to cricket after giving birth to twins, bringing with her a WBBL record only Sophie Devine can top among internationals. Another South African, Anneke Bosch, is remembered for her semi-final heroics that ended Australia's T20 World Cup reign, and she’s back in the conversation too.

England's Em Arlott impressed with 10 wickets in five matches on debut against West Indies, while veteran opener Tammy Beaumont remains a draft wildcard—overlooked by England’s T20 side but still firing in domestic cricket.

Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce, standout associate from last season, is back and could be retained by Hobart or snapped up earlier. West Indies’ Chinelle Henry, fresh off a WPL stint where she smashed 62 off 23, returns from injury with unfinished business. Meanwhile, England spinner Linsey Smith has quietly become a regular T20I performer and just bagged 10 wickets in a strong series showing.

But for Fatima Sana, the WBBL represents more than just a contract—it’s the chance to break new ground, just like her hero once did.

 

[Ball Blazer]

Career-best figures of 4-26 for Pakistan captain

She also crosses the milestone of 100 international wickets

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been reprimanded for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the first T20I against Ireland played in Dublin on Wednesday

Fatima was found to have breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “showing dissent at an umpire’s decision during an international match.”

One demerit point has been added to Fatima’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period.

The incident occurred in the 13th over of Pakistan’s innings, when Fatima, on being adjudged caught behind, stayed on at the crease with her hands on her hips before walking off slowly, in what was seen as a show of dissent.

Fatima admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Graham McCrea of the Emirates ICC International Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Roland Black, Gareth Morrison and third umpire Aidan Seaver levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.