Pakistan's captain Fatima Sana confident for upcoming ICC Women's World Cup
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana praised her team's performance and voiced hopes of maintaining a perfect record in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers. The victory confirmed Pakistan's place in the marquee event scheduled later this year in India.
'This qualification means a lot, and the credit goes to the entire team for their support and hard work,' said Fatima Sana following the match. 'We'll try to win our last match as well and aim to finish the qualifiers unbeaten at the top of the table.'
Batting first, Pakistan posted 205 for six despite a cautious start. Sidra Amin anchored the innings with a steady knock, while Fatima Sana added crucial late runs.
'Thailand bowled very well early on, and we were under pressure before the 40th over,' Sana said. 'But we saw an opportunity in the final 10 overs. Sidra held the innings together, and I was glad to contribute with the bat.'
On the bowling front, Pakistan delivered a disciplined performance. Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, and Rameen Shamim each claimed three wickets to dismiss Thailand and secure a comfortable win — Pakistan's fourth consecutive victory in the qualifiers.
With the group stage concluding, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in their final match on April 19 at the Lahore City Cricket Association Ground. Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana Joty, are also in contention for qualification.
Pakistan, having already booked their place in the World Cup, will be looking to complete their campaign without a defeat.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business Recorder
South Africa want promising batsmen to show potential on international stage
CAPE TOWN: South Africa's Twenty20 captain Aiden Markram wants his team's promising young batsman to use the opportunity of limited overs tours to Australia and England over the next eight weeks to develop their careers and display their international potential. South Africa have high hopes for powerful teenage slogger Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis, the prolific 22-year-old run scorer who first competed in the Indian Premier League three years ago, as they continue preparations for next year's T20 World Cup. 'The last thing you want to do is to clip their wings. You sort of want to let them fly and let them do their thing,' Markram told a virtual press conference on Friday as South Africa readied to depart for Australia, where they play three T20 internationals in Darwin and Cairns later this month. 'I think we've seen on various stages around the world now that they are proper X-factor players and that they have taken to international cricket quite easily,' he added. 'So, I don't know if I have too much advice for them, besides the fact that they must keep taking the game on and not be scared of disappointments or failures. 'It's been great to see their progress. They're going to play a massive role moving forward in cricket in South Africa and that's the thing that we're quite excited about,' Markram added. Brevis, a regular in T20 leagues around the world, debuted for South Africa's T20 side against Australia two years ago while Pretorius, 19, debuted in last month's tri series against New Zealand and hosts Zimbabwe, scoring 51 in the final in Harare last weekend. The pair are also in the squad to take on Australia in three One Day Internationals after the T20 series. South Africa then head to England early next month for three ODIs and three T20s. 'For us as a team it'll be about fine tuning a lot of things and preparing for that T20 World Cup, so a great opportunity in Australia and then followed by England and if we can get closer towards another trophy, that'll be good,' Markram told reporters. South Africa were runners-up at the last T20 World Cup in the West Indies one year ago and Markram was the hero of their World Test Championship win over Australia in June. The next T20 World Cup to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka in early 2026.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Pak to take on WI in T20I series
The Pakistan team was in action during a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. Photo: AFP Pakistan are all set to take on West Indies in the eighth bilateral T20I series between the two teams after they first faced each other in April 2011 in the T20 format. The three T20Is, beginning on Thursday, 31 July (1 August, 5am Pakistan time) at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Florida is the first meeting between the two teams in T20Is since December 2021. The second and third T20I are scheduled to take place on 2 and 3 August at the same venue with the first ball slated to be bowled at 8pm local time (3 and 4 August, 5am Pakistan time). Pakistan will take the field in Lauderhill, a venue that has played host to 12 ODIs and 17 T20Is since May 2010, for the second time after beating Ireland by three wickets in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Overall Pakistan have won 15 of the 21 T20Is played between the two teams with hosts winning three and as many ending in no result. Both the teams will be looking to make amends to their recent most T20I series results after visitors conceded 2-1 to Bangladesh and hosts 5-0 to Australia. Pakistan arrived in Lauderhill on Monday, 28 July and took part in two intensive training sessions. Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi have returned to the T20I squad. Pakistan T20I captain, Salman Ali Agha: "We are really looking forward to playing at this wonderful venue and our time here so far has been exciting. I feel the three T20Is will also be entertaining and as a team we are eagerly looking forward to take the field. "We have a fine blend of youth and experience in our squad and it is highly productive that we are going into yet another T20I series as the build-up towards the T20 World Cup picks up pace. "The West Indies are a formidable T20I side despite the results not going their way recently and I feel we'll have to play our best possible game in order to outfox them in this series." Pakistan T20I squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Sufyan Moqim. Meanwhile, The West Indies squad is expected to feature one change from the side that played in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against Australia, which they lost 5-0. Veteran all-rounder Andre Russell announced his retirement after playing two matches in the shorter format against Australia, with right-handed batter Keacy Carty set to replace him. West Indies squad for Pakistan T20Is: Brandon King, Evan Lewis, Keacy Carty, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Jewel Andrew, Shai Hope (C), Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jediah Blades, Matthew Forde The head-to-head record between the two teams heavily favours Pakistan. Out of 21 T20I encounters, Pakistan have won 15 matches, while West Indies have secured just three victories. The remaining three matches ended without a result. This marks Pakistan's third consecutive T20I series, following a 3-0 home series win over Bangladesh in May and a 2-1 series defeat against the same opposition in Bangladesh. Series schedule: 31 July – First T20I; 2 Aug – Second T20I; 3 Aug – Third T20I; 8 Aug – First ODI; 10 Aug – Second ODI; 12 Aug – Third ODI.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan reach WCL final after India refuse to play semi-final
Listen to article The World Championship of Legends (WCL) took a dramatic turn as India Champions refused to play against Pakistan Champions in the semi-finals due to escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries, allowing Pakistan to progress to the final. The first semi-final of the tournament was scheduled between Pakistan Champions and India Champions on July 31 in Birmingham. However, the match was cancelled, resulting in Pakistan advancing to the final where they will either face South Africa or Australia in the title clash to be played on Saturday, August 2. Semi - Finals Update ! — World Championship Of Legends (@WclLeague) July 30, 2025 In a statement issued on X, the WCL management on Wednesday confirmed India's decision to withdraw from the semi-finals. 'We have always believed in the power of sport to inspire and bring about positive change in the world,' the statement read. 'However, public sentiment must always be respected – after all, everything we do is for our audience,' it added. On India's decision to withdraw, the organisers stated, 'We respect the India Champions' decision to withdraw from the semi-finals, and we equally respect the Pakistan Champions' readiness to compete.' Also Read: Laura Dahlmeier confirmed dead after Pakistan mountaineering accident 'Taking all factors into consideration, the match between the India Champions and the Pakistan Champions has been called off,' the statement concluded, confirming that Pakistan Champions would advance to the final. This action was not unexpected, as India Champions had earlier on July 20 refused to play Pakistan in the group stage match of the event, which had also led to cancellation. The second edition of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)-sanctioned tournament began on July 18 at Edgbaston. The Pakistan team, captained by Shahid Afridi, features former stars such as Younis Khan, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, and Kamran Akmal. Relations between the two countries remain tense. Following a terror attack in Pahalgam in April, political and public sentiment has further deteriorated, briefly affecting both the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Read: Pakistan yet to secure Asia Cup TV rights India does not engage in bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan, and cricket matches between the two sides are now limited to global ICC tournaments such as the World Cup and Champions Trophy. A hybrid hosting model was introduced during this year's Champions Trophy, where India played its matches in Dubai while the rest of the tournament was held in Pakistan. A similar arrangement is planned for the upcoming Women's ODI World Cup, with Pakistan set to play all its matches in Colombo, as India and Sri Lanka co-host the event. Most recently, the uncertainty surrounding the men's Asia Cup was resolved after India agreed to participate in the tournament scheduled for September in T20 format, with the UAE designated as the host.
