Pakistan captain Fatima Sana targets a top-four finish in T20 World Cup

Fatima Sana is aiming to guide Pakistan women's national cricket team to the semi-finals of the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Pakistan finished second from bottom in the previous edition of the tournament, winning only one match. However, Fatima believes the team is now far better prepared.

Pakistan’s lead-up to the World Cup

Pakistan are scheduled to face Ireland women's national cricket team and the West Indies women's national cricket team in a tri-nation series in Dublin ahead of the World Cup. The series is expected to help the teams acclimatize to local conditions.

The tri-series will take place shortly after Pakistan whitewashed Zimbabwe women's national cricket team in a three-match T20I series.

“By the grace of Almighty Allah, as we all know, we have the Ireland [tri-series] and World Cup ahead of us. We are preparing for that and are very excited since the past two to three months have been really good for us. So, we are hopeful for the team to deliver good results,” said Fatima during a media interaction on the sidelines of the training camp.

Pakistan will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against India women's national cricket team on June 14 in Birmingham. While the fixture carries added pressure because of the rivalry between the two sides, Fatima said Pakistan are focusing on performing well against every opponent rather than targeting one specific match.

“Obviously, we are well prepared, and the World Cup is such an event in which every match is important; also, T20 cricket is such that anything can change rapidly. So, we are not looking forward to a specific match,” Fatima stated.

“As everybody knows, India and Pakistan is a good match, so God willing, we will try to play well.”

Pakistan in group of death but Fatima hopeful

Pakistan share a difficult group alongside India, Australia women's national cricket team, South Africa women's national cricket team, Bangladesh women's national cricket team, and the Netherlands women's national cricket team. Despite the challenge, Fatima believes Pakistan’s preparation can help the side compete with any opposition.

“We have clarity on this that we have to play our own way regardless of the opposition. We know that our group is tough, but we also know that T20 cricket is such that anything can happen on a day. We can't think that India and Australia are bigger teams,” said Fatima.

“In T20 cricket, one good innings, spell or a run-out can change things, so we have belief in our team and results will follow.

“I desire that we finish in the top four, and I want to lead my team there with my impactful performances.”

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