Pakistan women’s cricket captain Fatima Sana has called for greater parity between the country’s men’s and women’s teams. The 25-year-old, who has led the national side since 2024, expressed her aspirations for the sport on Tuesday, stating she “dreams of a time” when female players receive the same treatment as their male counterparts. “I hope it comes,” she added. Sana, who has led the Pakistan team since 2024, is one of the country’s finest cricketers and has swiftly risen to the top echelons of women’s cricket. Following her team’s six-wicket win over Melbourne Stars on Sunday, Sana was asked about the state of women’s cricket in Pakistan. Having also played for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred in England, her WBBL campaign marks just the second time the 25-year-old has featured in an overseas league.
Currently competing for the Perth Scorchers in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), Sana has established herself as one of the sport’s most prominent figures. Since her debut in the league on October 31, the right-arm medium-fast bowler has claimed five wickets across five matches. Maintaining an economy rate of 7.62, she currently sits tied for 10th on the tournament’s most-wickets chart.
Sana, who holds the world record for the fastest international 50 in women’s T20 cricket, emphasized the importance of growing the women’s game during an interview with CricBlog TV. “If you look at world cricket, the sport is growing.
I would like to see the same growth in Pakistan, be it in the men’s or women’s game,” she noted, adding that she wishes for more Pakistani girls to gain experience in Australian leagues to foster development at home.
The captain’s tenure includes a bronze medal finish at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She is the second Pakistani player to compete in the WBBL, following former captain Nida Dar’s 2019 stint with the Sydney Thunder. Reflecting on her time in Perth, Sana expressed gratitude for the opportunity to share a dressing room with world-class players like Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney.
Looking toward the future, Sana highlighted the significance of Pakistan hosting the 2028 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. This tournament will be the first ICC women’s event held in the country, which previously hosted two Men’s ODI World Cups and the 2025 Men’s Champions Trophy. The upcoming event is set to expand to 12 teams, an increase from the 10 teams seen in the previous six editions.
Sana believes this landmark hosting opportunity will be instrumental in encouraging young girls to take up cricket. “It’s a great step by the ICC that the World Cup is taking place in Pakistan, which will encourage more women players to come forward,” she said. It’s great to play alongside my teammates; they’re very supportive and helpful,” Sana said.
She remains hopeful that as the profile of the women’s game rises, families will feel more encouraged to provide their daughters with opportunities to participate in the sport.
Ultimately, the all-rounder urged fans to show the same level of enthusiasm for women’s fixtures that they typically demonstrate for men’s matches. By filling stadiums, she argues, supporters can play a pivotal role in normalizing equality within the sport and ensuring that female athletes receive the recognition they deserve on the global stage.
