Massive setback for Pakistan as skipper Fatima Sana to return home from T20 World Cup

New Delhi: In a major setback for the Pakistan women’s cricket team, skipper Fatima Sana will return to Pakistan from the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE because of her father’s death. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in a release on Thursday said that the captain will take the first flight back home following the bereavement.

As of now, she is set to miss Pakistan’s next clash against Australia in Dubai on Friday and Muneeba Ali has been named to fill in her shoes. Fatima’s absence comes as a huge blow for the side who still have two Group matches remaining. Pakistan need to win both their group A clashes or at least one in any condition so as to secure the chance of making it to the semifinals of the showpiece event.

Fatima Sana is set to leave the Pakistan camp after a personal tragedy.

Thoughts and condolences with the player and her family.https://t.co/yosZ10OTX4

— ICC (@ICC) October 10, 2024

Sana expected to participate in Kiwi clash

While they face the dominant Aussies in their next game tomorrow, the Women in Green will lock horns against New Zealand on Monday in their last group encounter. The skipper, as of now, is expected to participate in Pakistan’s last group game. Till now, they played two games in the marquee event, where they registered victory in one while lost the other one. Pakistan won their first match against Sri Lanka, starting of their campaign on a high while lost the other encounter against arch-rivals India.

Sana, the youngest captain at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 at 22, has been instrumental in Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC event. She top-scored with 30 and picked up two crucial wickets in their opening clash against the Lankans while against India, she made sure that India huffed and puffed chasing a small target.

Full Coverage of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

 Skipper Fatima Sana is set to return to Pakistan from the ongoing women’s T20 World Cup 2024 because of her father’s death.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today