Pakistan Women’s Captain Fatima Sana Impresses Despite Defeat in Ireland Tour Opener

Pakistan’s skipper, Fatima Sana, once again led from the front—this time with the ball—on the first day of the T20I series against Ireland in Dublin. The Pakistan women’s team narrowly lost the opening match by 11 runs, but Fatima’s performance stood out as a key highlight

Captain’s Performance: A Career‑Best Bowling Display

• Fatima achieved her best-ever T20I figures, claiming 4 wickets for 26 runs (4–26).
• She also reached a milestone by taking her 100th international wicket—joining an elite group of Pakistan women cricketers.

Match Summary: Ireland Prevails

Batting first, Ireland posted 142 runs. Pakistan, however, fell short with 131 for 9 in 20 overs. Despite a spirited lower-order fight from Natalia Parvaiz (29 off 23 balls) and Rameen Shamim (27 off 20), the visitors couldn’t quite chase down the total.

Momentum Still in Focus

This match is just the start of what promises to be a high-stakes year for Pakistan’s women’s squad. They recently booked their ticket to the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup with a flawless qualifying campaign on home soil, where Fatima led from the front with 12 wickets

Ahead of the Ireland tour, Fatima emphasized her team’s aim to keep that winning spirit alive:

“We are looking to continue that momentum and develop the T20I side as well,” she said.

Central Contract Rewards: A Vote of Confidence

Reflecting her status, Fatima Sana was placed in Category A of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s central contracts for 2025–26. The PCB also confirmed a 50% salary increase across all women’s contract categories a strong signal of investment in the future of the team.

Despite the opening defeat, Fatima Sana’s leadership and match-winning bowling prove she remains a vital force for Pakistan. With the World Cup looming, her form and experience are invaluable to the team’s ambitions.