Fatima Sana open to promotion up the order as Pakistan consider tactical changes
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana says the team will discuss whether a change to the batting order is required following Sunday’s six-wicket loss to India at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Having won the toss and opted to bat against India, Pakistan’s top order struggled, with only Muneeba Ali (17) looking in decent touch.
It was left to the middle and lower order to boost Pakistan’s score and give their bowlers something to work with, but the task was a tough one and the final total of 105/8 proved to not be enough.
“Actually, starting with the bat, I think we were short like 10-15 runs in the batting.
“And we didn't utilize powerplay as we should have so I think that is where our performance was affected.
“We shall try in the next match so we can utilise the wicket properly.”
Nida Dar’s 28 at number five was encouraging, but once again it was the captain herself who looked the most fluent, racing to 13 off just eight balls when she was forced to depart thanks to a brilliant catch by Richa Ghosh behind the stumps.
Sana said that part of that was due to the pitch and there will be patience in allowing some of the more senior players to find form. But she also revealed that Pakistan will have discussions about whether a change of batting order could be needed, with the possibility of promoting her up from the finisher role at number seven.
Speaking on-field after the game, Sana said that “hopefully next match I will” when asked if she would come in higher than number seven in the order.
And speaking in the press conference she added further context:
“In such big events, you expect that such senior players perform well - of course. But, we should keep giving chances to the batters so that they can play their best cricket. Because we know that people wait for such big events. We will try our best to sit together, discuss and see what to plan now.
“It wasn't pressure but the wicket was slow, that's why the batters were not reacting like we wanted. We didn't see any power hitting from the Indian batters (either), because the wickets were slow.
“Actually, our batters have good (in training) in the past couple of days. But definitely, next time, we will sit together and discuss the batting order changing.”
Watch Fatima Sana take two in two balls
Sensational Fatima near hat-trick stings India chase | WT20WC 2024
Sana’s short but sparkling cameo with the bat was bettered by her effort with the ball, when she prompted hope for Pakistan with two wickets in two balls, removing both Jemimah Rodrigues and Ghosh.
And while she wasn’t drawn on her own bowling performance, Sana said at that point in the game, with the score on 80/4, Pakistan still had hope of turning the screw.
“To be honest… we could have caught them from there. I have seen many teams that have lost very close matches and the situation was like that. Unfortunately, it didn't happen, but the girls fought well.”
Watch the Pakistan players sing their anthem in Dubai
Pakistan remain in contention in Group A thanks to their opening-day victory over Sri Lanka. The 31-run margin of victory in that game also means that Pakistan’s NRR remains healthy even despite Sunday loss to India.
However, they have two tricky fixtures remaining in their Group A schedule. Defending champions Australia are up next in Dubai on Friday, before Sana’s side round up their group fixtures against New Zealand in Dubai on Monday 14 October.
Remaining fixtures in Group A
Australia v New Zealand – Tuesday 8 October (18:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium
India v Sri Lanka – Wednesday 9 October (14:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Australia v Pakistan – Friday 11 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium
New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Saturday 12 October (14:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium
India v Australia – Sunday 13 October (18:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Pakistan v New Zealand – Monday 14 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium