Fatima Sana Cleared for Women’s Hundred, Will Miss Sri Lanka T20Is

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has been given permission to play in the Women’s Hundred and will miss the T20I series in Sri Lanka as a result.

The 24-year-old all-rounder will lead Pakistan in the three-match ODI series, which counts towards the ICC Women’s Championship. After the final ODI on July 28 she will fly from Hambantota to England to join Birmingham Phoenix for the rest of the competition.

A historic signing

Last month Sana became the first Pakistani woman signed by a Women’s Hundred team. Phoenix took her in the wildcard draft as a replacement for Australia’s Lucy Hamilton, on a minimum contract of £15,000, roughly INR 19 lakh. International duty rules her out of Phoenix’s first two matches, but she should be available after that.

Form at the World Cup

She arrives in strong form. The day before the draft she starred against South Africa in the T20 World Cup, making 55 not out from 38 balls and taking 3 for 16.

Pakistan won only one group game, but Sana was one of the tournament’s best players. She was the leading fast bowler with 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.95, joint second overall with Australia captain Sophie Molineux. India’s N. Shree Charani led the list with 14.

Franchise experience

The Hundred will be her third overseas franchise T20 event. She played for Barbados Royals in the 2022 Women’s CPL and for Canterbury in New Zealand’s Women’s Super Smash in 2023-24.

ESPNcricinfo reports that the PCB approved the move to give her experience in a leading women’s franchise tournament.