Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team Captain Fatima Sana has called for greater equality between men’s and women’s cricket in the country, urging supporters to give female players the same recognition and backing enjoyed by their male counterparts.
The 25-year-old all-rounder, currently representing Perth Scorchers in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), believes Pakistan has an opportunity to accelerate the development of women’s cricket, particularly with the country scheduled to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028.
Speaking to CricBlog TV following Perth Scorchers‘ six-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars, Sana highlighted the sport’s international expansion and expressed hope that Pakistan’s women’s game would benefit from similar progress.
Fatima Sana calls for greater support for women’s cricket in Pakistan
Sana, who has captained Pakistan since 2024, wants women’s cricket to receive recognition comparable to the men’s game as the sport continues to develop.
“I would like to see the same growth in Pakistan, be it in the men’s or women’s game,” Sana told CricBlog TV.
Beyond recognition, Sana identified stadium attendance as an important part of building a stronger environment for women’s cricket.
“The way the crowds turn up for men’s matches, I hope the same happens for the women’s matches,” Sana added.
Her appeal comes as Pakistan prepares for a significant period in women’s cricket, with the 2028 World Cup offering an opportunity to attract new audiences and raise the profile of female players.
WBBL experience highlights opportunities for Pakistani players
Sana’s participation in the WBBL makes her only the second Pakistani cricketer to feature in the Australian competition, following former Pakistan Captain Nida Dar, who represented Sydney Thunder in 2019.
Since making her debut on October 31, Sana has taken five wickets in five matches at an economy rate of 7.62, placing her joint 10th among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers at the time of her comments.
The Perth Scorchers squad includes former New Zealand Captain Sophie Devine and Australian batter Beth Mooney, giving Sana the opportunity to compete alongside established international players.
“It is an honour to come here and have the opportunity to play \[in Australia\]. It’s great to play alongside my teammates; they’re very supportive and helpful,” Sana said.
The WBBL is Sana’s second overseas franchise competition, following a stint with Birmingham Phoenix in England’s The Hundred.
She also wants other Pakistani players to benefit from similar exposure to international leagues.
“Personally, I wish for more and more girls from Pakistan to come and play in Australia so that cricket can grow back home in Pakistan, too,” Sana noted.
Sana has established herself as a leading figure in Pakistan women’s cricket. She holds the record for the fastest half-century in women’s T20 internationals and captained Pakistan to a bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Pakistan’s 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup offers growth opportunity
Pakistan is scheduled to host the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028, marking the first time the country will stage an ICC women’s tournament.
The competition will expand to 12 teams, compared with 10 in the previous six editions, bringing a larger international field to Pakistan.
“It’s a great step by the ICC that the \[2028\] World Cup is taking place in Pakistan, which will encourage more women players to come forward,” Sana said.
Pakistan has previously hosted major men’s ICC events, including two ODI World Cups and the 2025 ICC Men’s Champions Trophy. The 2028 tournament will provide a different opportunity to showcase international cricket to domestic audiences.
Sana believes the visibility of a home World Cup could also influence how families view opportunities for girls in sport.
“When more girls watch the World Cup at home, their parents will also offer them more opportunities to play the sport,” Sana added.
For Pakistan women’s cricket, the combination of greater international exposure, stronger domestic support and a home World Cup presents an opportunity to build on the progress Sana is seeking, both on the field and in the stands.
