Fatima Sana to return to Pakistan from Women's T20 World Cup after father's demise

The youngest captain at the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2024, Fatima Sana, will be travelling back home to Karachi on Thursday via the first available flight after learning about the death of her father. In all probability, she will miss the side's next game against Australia Women in Dubai tomorrow.

Left-handed wicketkeeper-batter, Muneeba Ali, is set to fill in for Sana.

The bowling all-rounder was instrumental in orchestrating an opening-night shock by turning the game around for Pakistan Women against Sri Lanka Women. Coming in at number 7 with her side in all sorts of danger at 72/5, she scored 30 vital runs off just 20 deliveries, which was crucial in the context of their first innings. Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 116 on the final delivery of the innings, but it was courtesy Sana's knock that they had a few runs to play with.

Coming to her outing with the ball, she had to step up after Diana Baig was injured bowling just one delivery into the run-chase. Sana ended the night as the most economical bowler from both the sides, returning figures of 2/10 in 2.5 overs.

Her Player of the Match performance was followed by a spirited show during Pakistan's game against arch-rivals, India. Despite not having the best of days with the bat, it was her back-to-back wickets which slowed down India's chase, contributing to Pakistan's net run rate not taking a massive thump.

Sana has endeavoured to bring about a change in the thought process of the team by being fuelled by an extensively data-driven approach in order to lead a more dynamic appoach with the bat ever since replacing Nida Dar as captain in August 2020. 

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Sana's absence a huge blow as Pakistan Women face daunting challenges  

To stand any chance of getting through a competitive Group A, Pakistan Women, currently placed third on the table, will have to win at least a single game (preferably both their games). 

Also Read: Women's T20 World Cup 2024: How can India make it to the semi-finals?

After the Australian challenge, they will lock horns with the Kiwis. New Zealand Women, who convincingly truimphed over the Indians in their tournament-opener, will be no less of a trial by fire for a depleted Pakistani outfit without Sana, who might probably miss the game against New Zealand Women as well.