At one point, Pakistan seemed destined to leave Sharjah without a win. Bowled out for a mere 116, their innings lacked momentum, with captain Fatima Sana’s crucial knock of 30 off 20 balls being the highlight as she batted at No. 7. To make matters worse, opening bowler Diana Baig left the field after injuring herself just one ball into the defense.
Yet, what seemed like a lost cause turned into a sensational comeback. Sri Lanka had no answer to Pakistan’s spin attack, led by the off-spin wizard Omaima Sohail, who was outstanding with figures of 2 for 17. Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal claimed two and three wickets respectively, while Sana contributed with two wickets, capping off an all-round performance as captain.
Unfortunately for Pakistan, Baig did not return to bowl after breaking down with what appeared to be a calf injury, but Sana filled in and completed her over. Despite the initial setback, Sana’s leadership and performance left a lasting impression.
A Captain’s Heroic Leadership
“When I became captain, I promised to lead from the front,” Sana said after the match. “I was under pressure after the early injury, but Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar supported me, and I knew I had to step up because the team was counting on me.”
At just 22 years old, Sana was handed the captaincy in August. This was only her fourth T20I as captain, yet she managed to steer her team to a remarkable victory.
Even Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu acknowledged Sana’s leadership, saying, “I want to congratulate Fatima Sana; she played exceptional cricket and truly leads from the front.”
Sri Lanka’s Lone Warrior
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, continues to rely heavily on Athapaththu, who has been in scintillating form since mid-2023. Her impressive run, scoring 928 T20I runs at an average of 44.19 and a strike rate of 136.47, has been Sri Lanka’s driving force. Despite taking three crucial wickets for 18 runs, Athapaththu couldn’t single-handedly rescue her team.
Her efforts, along with Sugandika Kumari’s early breakthroughs and Udeshika Prabodhani’s three wickets, kept Pakistan under pressure. But Pakistan fought back fiercely.
A Game-Changing Moment
Athapaththu looked dangerous early in Sri Lanka’s chase, hitting a boundary off Sadia Iqbal’s third delivery, giving hope to Sri Lankan fans. But the turning point came in the third over when Sana deceived Athapaththu into playing a lofted shot that landed straight into the hands of extra cover.
From there, Sri Lanka’s innings unraveled, with only Nilakshika Silva (22) and Vishmi Gunaratne (20 off 34) reaching double digits. As Sri Lankan wickets tumbled, their run rate plummeted, and the victory that once seemed certain slipped away.
Fatima Sana’s All-Round Brilliance
Sana’s decision to bat herself at No. 7 may have initially seemed questionable, but her quickfire 30 off 20 balls ultimately made the difference. With Baig injured, Sana took control of the ball as well, dismissing her opposite number Athapaththu in a pivotal moment. Her leadership and all-round skills were the backbone of Pakistan’s success.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles with Spin
Sri Lanka’s batters couldn’t cope with the slow Sharjah pitch and Pakistan’s spinners. With the ball keeping low, they found themselves mistiming shots and struggling for momentum. Vishmi Gunaratne admitted after the match, “It wasn’t easy to adjust to the conditions. The pitch was low, and they didn’t give us any pace.”
In the end, Sri Lanka’s response to Pakistan’s total of 116 was a paltry 85 for 9, giving Pakistan a 31-run victory and a winning start to their T20 World Cup campaign.
Looking Ahead
Both teams face tougher challenges ahead. Sri Lanka will face defending champions Australia in their next match, while Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India in Dubai.
This win, however, not only gave Pakistan a crucial victory but also showcased Fatima Sana’s emergence as a leader, setting the tone for a promising future under her captaincy.