Karachi: In a significant leadership shift, Fatima Sana has been named the captain of Pakistan’s 15-member team for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The young all-rounder succeeds Nida Dar, signaling a new era for the national women’s cricket team.
According to International Cricket Council, the decision to appoint Sana was unanimously made by the Women’s national selection committee. Fatima Sana, a 22-year-old bowling all-rounder, brings a commendable track record to the captaincy, with 31 T20I wickets at an average of 30.09 and 215 runs at a strike rate just over 100. Her leadership skills were previously demonstrated during her tenure as captain of Pakistan Emerging and domestic teams, and notably, she led Pakistan to a victory in an ODI match against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, in December 2023.
The squad for the World Cup includes only one change from the team that competed in the recent Women’s Asia Cup. Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas returns, replacing wicket-keeper-batter Najiha Alvi, who will serve as a reserve player for the tournament in UAE.
Pakistan, placed in Group A, faces a challenging lineup with teams like Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.