Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana played a valiant knock of unbeaten 47 off 36 deliveries to guide her team to a total of 130/5 against Sri Lanka in the second semifinal of the Women’s Asia Cup, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai on Friday.
The conditions were clearly beginning to take their toll on the Pakistan captain, who had to call on the team physio to the middle a few times towards the end of her innings. But Fatima continued to tolerate the discomfort and maintained a brisk scoring rate, ensuring Pakistan did not lose momentum at a crucial stage. Her knock proved vital in helping the side recover after the early setbacks and post a competitive total. She struck the ball cleanly and stuck to the approach she’s shown throughout the tournament, looking to play as straight as possible and put the bowlers under pressure.
Pakistan Women were in early trouble, reduced to 52/4 in the 10th over, but skipper Fatima Sana produced a valiant knock to steer her side through a difficult phase and provide the much-needed impetus in the middle and death overs. Fatima walked in under pressure with Pakistan and responded with a 36-ball 47 not out, showing amazing composure in the tough heat and humidity. Earlier, Shawaal Zulfiqar set the platform with an excellent opening knock of 24 (16).
