Islamabad
Pakistan’s rising sensation Fatima Sana has been selected by the International Cricket Council (ICC) among four other players as 100% Cricket Super-stars.
This forms part of the ICC’s ongoing 100% Cricket movement, which celebrates the abundant talent on offer in the women’s game.
“Following the recent conclusion of the historic inclusion of women’s cricket at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, the excitement is growing ahead of another inaugural global event in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in January, which is followed closely by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, also in South Af-rica,” said Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager Cricket.
“The players selected today are incredibly tal-ented and a credit to the countries they represent. They are the future of the women’s game.
Meanwhile, at only 20, Fatima has already emerged as one of the most promising prospects in Pakistan women’s cricket. Her contributions have already seen her claim some major honours, being named the 2021 ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year.
Having made her international debut in 2019, Sana has played 21 ODIs and seven T20Is in a blos-soming career, with many memorable performances. The pace-bowling all-rounder has picked up 27 wickets in the 50-over format, with a career-best of 5/39, while also aggregating 177 runs. In seven T20I matches, she has picked up seven wickets, with best figures of 3/27.
The other four rising players include India’s star opener Smriti Mandhana, Australia’s all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, England’s Sophia Dunkley and Ireland’s ace cricketer Gaby Lewis.
Still only 26, Smriti was close to completing a decade in international cricket. Her record speaks for itself, combining aggression at the top of the order along with a heavy penchant for scoring some big runs. Mandhana has played 74 ODIs, aggregating 2892 runs at an average of 42.52, with five centuries and 23 fifties. In T20I cricket, she has 2192 runs in 92 games, with 16 half-centuries to her name. Mandhana has also played four Tests and has one century and two fifties in the format. —APP
