Pakistan Women’s T20 Setup Fine-Tunes Asia Cup Strategy in Lahore Camp

Pakistan’s women’s T20 squad has intensified preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup with a series of competitive 20-over matches at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Having not featured in a competition final in a decade, the team engaged in proper contest scenarios against the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy’s men’s side, including teenaged and older players, to sharpen decision-making under pressure and adapt to superior fitness standards.

Captain Fatima Sana emphasized that the practice games were instrumental in building match readiness. “We are well prepared for the tournament,” she stated. “Playing competitive matches against a stronger opponent put us under pressure, and those learnings will help us adapt to the competition’s challenges.”

Pakistan’s recent T20I campaign revealed shortcomings in detail execution and pressure management. The side secured only one victory in five matches at the T20 World Cup, defeating the Netherlands. Close losses to South Africa and Bangladesh, along with below-par fielding and disorientation against top-tier opponents like India and Australia, highlighted areas the group aims to address before the Asia Cup.

Despite the team’s struggles, Sana stood out as a bright spot. She finished as the competition’s second-highest wicket-taker with 11 scalps, and also contributed crucial runs, including an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls against South Africa. Her tournament average of 21.25 and strike rate of 110.38 underscored her all-round impact.

Sana stressed the importance of composure in high-stakes moments. “We needed to understand how to handle pressure better,” she said. “These matches have helped us on that front, and the difference will be visible. It is very important to stay calm in crunch situations rather than pressing the panic button. We have told the girls to stay calm and trust their hard work and execution plans.”

Sana temporarily stepped away from the Sri Lanka series—which Pakistan lost 2-1—to participate in The Hundred, where she was signed by Birmingham Phoenix as a replacement draft pick. She described the experience as exciting, noting she was the first Pakistani woman to play in the competition. She claimed three wickets at 37.66 and scored 57 runs at an average of 19, expressing that representing Pakistan remains a great honour and hoping her performance paves the way for more women in future competitions.

The Women’s Asia Cup is scheduled to run from August 28 to September 13 in Dubai. Pakistan has been drawn into Group A alongside India, Thailand, and Hong Kong. The team will begin its campaign on September 1 against Thailand, face India on September 5, and conclude group-stage action on September 8 against Hong Kong.

Sana noted that the Dubai conditions resemble those in Pakistan, and the team is well-aware of the playing requirements. “Definitely the conditions are similar,” she said, “and we are well-aware about how we have to play in them.”

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