Dublin: Pakistan Women’s captain Fatima Sana has voiced strong confidence in her team’s preparations ahead of the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales, saying the team is eager to test itself against the world’s best players on the global stage.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Sana said Pakistan had worked hard to fine-tune its combinations and was ready for the challenges of a major ICC event.
“We are excited to compete against the best teams in the world and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England is another opportunity to showcase our skills on the global stage,” Fatima said.
The Pakistan captain highlighted the emotional weight of World Cups, describing them as tournaments that create lasting memories for players and fans alike. He added that leading the national side in such high profile events is a proud milestone in his career.
“World Cups bring together pressure, emotions and unforgettable memories and being a part of those moments is a dream for every cricketer,” he said.
He reflected on his leadership journey, proud to have captained Pakistan in the previous ICC tournament and excited to continue participating in the 2026 edition.
The all-rounder underlined the importance of balance in the Pakistan team, pointing to a mix of experienced players and emerging talent. He praised the side’s growing maturity in handling pressure situations and capitalizing on key moments.
“We have experienced players and talented youngsters, consistent performers like Muneefa Ali, Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal, while the team now understands better how to handle pressure and make the most of opportunities,” he said.
Sana also emphasized the growing influence of T20 cricket in the development of the women’s game.
“T20 cricket plays an important role in the growth of women’s cricket by increasing the energy, entertainment and global attention for the game, while creating more opportunities and attracting more viewers,” he added.
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is scheduled to be held from June 12 to July 5 in England and Wales.
Pakistan will begin their campaign against arch-rivals India on June 14, followed by group-stage matches against South Africa, Bangladesh, Australia and the Netherlands on June 17, 20, 23 and 27.
Ahead of the tournament, Pakistan will participate in a T20I tri-series in Ireland from May 28 to June 4, featuring the hosts and the West Indies.
They will play two warm-up matches against Sri Lanka and Scotland on June 6 and June 9 respectively as part of their final preparations.
Pakistan Squad for 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Fatima Sana (catch), Alia Riaz, Ayesha Jafar, Diana Baig, Ayman Fatima, Gul Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneefa Ali Siddiqui (week), Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Zabeen, Tasmia Roop and Tuba Hassab.
Reserves: Amber Kainat, Momina Riyasad, Sadaf Shamas, Chitra Amin, Syeda Aroop Shah and Umm-e-Hani.