Fatima Sana to lead Pakistan in Emerging Women's T20 Asia Cup

"It is an honour for me to captain Pakistan in the upcoming tournament," 21-year-old cricketer says

By Web Desk

May 24, 2023

Pakistani all-rounder Fatima Sana. — Twitter/imfatimasana

Pakistan all-rounder Fatima Sana was appointed as captain for the forthcoming ACC Emerging Women’s T20 Asia Cup slated to be held next month in Hong Kong, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday.

A 14-player squad for the eight-team event has also been named by the national women’s selection committee. The event will be played from June 12 to 21.

"It is an honour for me to captain Pakistan in the upcoming tournament. The responsibility of leading the emerging side will definitely help me develop as a cricketer and I am eagerly looking forward to leading my team in this important tournament," Sana said, sharing her elation for the opportunity.

The 21-year-old cricketer added that the players are full of energy and excitement to play the tournament.

“We have had good practice over the last few weeks, and the Pakistan Cup Women’s Cricket Tournament provided us ample match practice against tough sides. Ahead of these matches, we had a healthy discussion as a team amongst ourselves that we have to make the most of these matches," she said.

Sana added she was glad how every player stepped up and contributed in each game. For the upcoming tournament, Pakistan are placed in Group A with Hong Kong, India and Thailand.

“I want to congratulate all players who have been selected for the emerging Asia Cup and I am hopeful that they will perform to their full potential. We have some outstanding talent coming up and it was a tough call to select 14 players," said the team's chief selector Saleem Jaffar.

Encouraging the players who have not been selected for the tournament, he said: "I want to tell those cricketers who have not been selected for this tournament to keep their heads high and keep working hard and they will definitely get chances in the upcoming events."

He added that the selection committee has been observing players since a camp in Multan and have tested them in different conditions, with their most recent challenge being the three T20 matches against Pakistan's top international players.

“Fatima Sana has displayed some outstanding leadership credentials in domestic tournaments recently, and I am sure she will lead this side with example," Jaffer added.

Pakistan squad

Fatima Sana (c), Anoosha Nasir, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Gulrukh, Lubna Behram, Najiha Alvi (wk), Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Yusra Amir.

Reserves: Amber Kainat, Dua Majid, Fatima Khan and Rameen Shamim