Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana expresses sadness as the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup takes place in the UAE after her father died. That’s why she left the tournament with a heavy heart and returned to her native country. Fatima Sana, 22, captains Pakistan for the first time in the World Cup. As a result, Sana will not be available for the next match.
Fatima Sana is Pakistan’s joint-highest wicket-taker, with four wickets, behind left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal, who briefly had the No.1 bowler rating in Women’s T20Is. Pakistan’s next match will be against Australia on Friday. Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, the wicketkeeper-batsman, will take over as Pakistan captain.
Sana Fatima’s Absence Hurts
As soon as the news of Fatima Sana’s father’s death broke, the Pakistani squad was in shock. On social media, Pakistani players offered prayers to their skipper and her family. Sana’s fellow players in the UAE have expressed sadness over her father’s passing. Sana’s absence will be a major setback for Pakistan, who are still in with a possibility of reaching the semi-finals.
Fatima Sana is the only hitter on her squad to have a strike rate of more than 100 in the competition (153.57), scoring 43 runs at an average of 21.50. Fatima Sana’s absence means Pakistan’s pace-bowling stocks have been greatly damaged. Previously, their best bowler, Diana Baig, had a calf injury and was forced to miss the match against India.
Muneeba will also fill in for Sana if she does not return before the match against Sophie Devine’s New Zealand on Monday, October 14, in Dubai. Muneeba Ali has the opportunity to set the tone with his bat. She has Pakistan’s highest total in this format this season, with 560 runs in 23 innings. So far in the World Cup, she has scored 11 runs off 14 balls against Sri Lanka, and 17 runs off 26 balls against India.
Sana’s Key Role As PAK Skipper
In the Women’s T20 World Cup history, Fatima Sana overtook Meg Lanning and Stafanie Taylor as the third-youngest captain. Pakistan’s spinners have been successful in recent years. Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu will also want to keep the momentum going against Australia. Pakistan’s first defeat was when India beat them by six wickets in Dubai on Sunday. Fatima Sana scored a quick 13 and took two wickets, but her efforts were in vain.
Pakistan’s squad is in Group A of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, which also includes teams from Australia, New Zealand, England, and India. After winning one and losing one of its two games, Pakistan is now in third place in the points rankings. The third game between Pakistan and Australia is scheduled for this Friday.
Final Verdict
The experienced batsman-wicketkeeper Muniba Ali will lead the Pakistan women’s team when Fatima Sana isn’t available. In this intense situation, Pakistan has to win both of its remaining games to have a chance to advance to the semifinals. Player of the Match in Pakistan’s opening victory over Sri Lanka, Sana has set the tone with her leadership throughout the campaign.
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