Sana, the youngest World Cup captain at 22, top-scored with 30 runs and took two wickets in the opening win against Sri Lanka
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has returned home following the passing of her father, just ahead of the team’s crucial group-stage match against Australia in the Women’s T20 World Cup on Friday. In her absence, wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali stepped up to lead the team in their Group A clash, as Pakistan aimed for a victory to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
“It’s heartbreaking news, but some things are beyond our control,” Ali said at the toss in Dubai. “We will certainly miss her presence.”
Sana, a 22-year-old bowling all-rounder and the youngest captain at this World Cup, had made a strong impact in Pakistan’s opening match, top-scoring with 30 runs and taking two wickets in their win against Sri Lanka. Despite a defeat in their second match against arch-rivals India, Pakistan remains in contention for a spot in the semifinals, with the top two teams from the group advancing to the next stage.
