Sad circumstances as Pakistan’s Muneeba Ali steps into captaincy shoes
Muneeba Ali has stepped into the captaincy role for Pakistan’s fixture against Australia on Friday after Fatima Sana departed the squad.
The sad news of the passing of Fatima Sana’s father prompted a day of mourning in the Pakistan camp ahead of their meeting with Australia in Dubai on Friday.
The 22-year-old Fatima had performed well as captain in her side’s opening matches of the tournament, but the tragic family news means that she will take no further part in her team’s group-stage campaign, leaving the UAE to fly back to Pakistan.
Fatima Sana is set to leave the Pakistan camp after a personal tragedy.
— ICC (@ICC) October 10, 2024
Thoughts and condolences with the player and her family.https://t.co/yosZ10OTX4
Stepping in to Fatima’s shoes as captain is Muneeba Ali, who answered the questions of the world’s media in Thursday’s press conference.
“Fatima is our captain and the qualities she possesses in batting and bowling are very good and she gives our team a good balance,” Muneeba said, when asked about the impact of Fatima’s departure.
“So, obviously we will miss her as a captain and as a player, but we will try to win the match for her and her father.
“If we can win the match tomorrow it would be really helpful for us as a team and for Fatima as well.
“We want to play for her and for her father – we will play a good match against Australia.”
نَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ, It’s very hard and saddened to hear the loss of your father😭 On behalf of the whole team, please accept our sincerest condolences 🤲You and your family are in our thoughts. Rip #fatimasana #rip @imfatimasana pic.twitter.com/ykkrWQTLWA
— Nida Dar (@CoolNidadar) October 10, 2024
Muneeba was the obvious player to step into the captaincy role having been named as vice-captain of the squad when the decision was made to hand Fatima the captaincy.
And the 27-year-old said that the departing skipper had given the team some positive words about their game prior to leaving the squad.
“When we got to know about Fatima, we were very sad. But she also said that we have to play well.
“We had the same approach, that obviously it's a sad moment for her and as a team we are also feeling the same way, but we have come here to win the match, and we have to focus on that as well.”
Australia v Pakistan | Whatever It Takes Preview | WT20WC 2024
Pakistan go into their final two group games against Australia and New Zealand knowing that they will need to win at least one of those fixtures to stand a chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Remaining fixtures in Group A
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
