Fatima Sana, the youngest captain at the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, will return home to Karachi on Thursday following the passing of her father.
Likely to miss Pakistan’s next game against Australia in Dubai, left-handed wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali is set to step in as captain.
Sana played a pivotal role in Pakistan’s opening win against Sri Lanka, rescuing her team from 72/5 with a quick 30 off 20 balls, helping them reach 116.
She also excelled with the ball, finishing with an economical 2/10 after stepping up when Diana Baig was injured.
Sana’s Player of the Match performance against Sri Lanka was followed by key wickets against India, which helped Pakistan’s net run rate.
Since taking over as captain from Nida Dar in 2020, she has focused on a data-driven approach, bringing a more dynamic style to the team.
Currently third in Group A, Pakistan Women need to win at least one of their next two games—against Australia and New Zealand—to stay competitive. However, without Sana, they face a tough challenge against both teams.