Can Fatima Lead the Way?

Can Pakistan’s talismanic young skipper Fatima Sana take her team somewhere they’ve never been before, the semi final stage of a T20 International World Cup?

Leadership has long been an issue for the Women in Green. The talent is there. Always has been, yet the utilisation of that talent is often bewildering. Can Fatima not only lead the team with her own considerable cricketing talent, but can she add the strategic value sorely needed?

Squad

Muneeba Ali, Sidra Amin, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Nida Dar, Tuba Hassan, Sadia Iqbal, Iram Javed, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Nashra Sandhu, Sadaf Shamas, Omaima Sohail, Syeda Aroob Shah.

Schedule

Pakistan are in Pool A along with India, Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. This could easily be called the Group of Death, for there are no easy games here:

• Sri Lanka (3 Oct)
• India (6 Oct)
• Australia (12 Oct)
• New Zealand (15 Oct)

Batting

There are two key batters in this line-up, Sidra Amin and Aliya Riaz. Both are crucial at different times. The ever improving Sidra is key at the top of the order, whether opening or first drop. She’s added a real level of innovation to her game to go with her steady head. Aliya is the key for the back end of the innings although she ought to be batting at four or five to properly utilise her value. She has a cricket computer in her head that allows her to accelerate at the right moment.

Around those two are Muneeba Ali, Gull Feroza and Omaima Sohail. At the back end the mighty hitting of Nida Dar and the captain. There’s plenty of runs in this team.

Bowling

Good steady pace with Diana Baig and Fatima – both excellent in the field too. Spin is king for Pakistan however and in that regard they boast some excellent options. Leg spinner Tuba Hassan continues to improve all aspects of her game to go with her excellent bowling. Nashra Sandhu with her left-arm slow and Nida Dar with her off-breaks provide great variety. Sadia Iqbal is another splendid option.

Fielding

Arguably the best fielding team in Asia. The fielding and catching in the deep is a joy to watch with the likes of Nashra Sandhu and Aliya Riaz. The skipper is always a livewire in the field, while Diana Baig is one of the best point fielders in the game. The one area that could improve would be behind the stumps.

The Challenge

Back to the original question. Can Fatima take Pakistan somewhere they’ve been before? To do that they must win at least two games minimum. If we are generous and give them a win against Sri Lanka in the first game, we must then find another against Australia, India and New Zealand.

Pakistan has never beaten Australia, so we’ll let that one go. They have beaten New Zealand twice (11 games) and India thrice (15 games). Defeat Sri Lanka, New Zealand and India and they are through. However, should they lose to Sri Lanka in the opening game then it will be very tough from there. Start with a win and Pakistan can dare to dream. Inshallah.