Pakistan women are preparing differently for the sixth edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, using competitive matches against men to strengthen their decision-making, pressure management and ability to respond to tougher challenges.
With the tournament scheduled in the United Arab Emirates from August 28 to September 13, Fatima Sana’s side hope this unconventional preparation will help them progress beyond the semi-final stage and mount a serious challenge in Group A.
The UAE will host the competition for the first time, with eight teams divided into two groups. Pakistan, India, Thailand and Hong Kong form Group A, while Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the UAE and Indonesia make up Group B. Since India won the inaugural edition in 2012 and successfully defended the title in 2016, Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka have all lifted the trophy. Sri Lanka claimed their maiden title in 2024 under Chamari Athapaththu, defeating Pakistan in the semi-final on their way to the championship.
Pakistan have not reached the final since 2016 in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, and their latest campaign exposed the gap between promising moments and consistent execution. During this year’s T20 World Cup, they won only one of five matches, beating the Netherlands. They were unable to close out tight contests against South Africa and Bangladesh, while below-par fielding and uncertainty against stronger opponents were evident in matches against India and Australia.
To address those weaknesses, Pakistan’s pre-tournament camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore included full 20-over matches against the men’s side of the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy. The games featured both teenage and older players and were conducted as proper competitions rather than scenario-based drills. The aim was to create genuine jeopardy while exposing Pakistan’s players to superior skills, athleticism and fitness standards.
“We are well prepared for the tournament,” Fatima Sana said. “We have played competitive matches against boys in which we were put under pressure. These learnings will help us adapt to the challenges of the competition.” The captain was Pakistan’s standout performer at the T20 World Cup. Her 11 wickets were the joint second-most in the tournament and the most by a fast bowler. She also produced a vital unbeaten 55 off 38 balls against South Africa, finishing the competition with a batting average of 21.25, scoring 85 runs and a strike rate of 110.38.
Fatima Sana believes the Lahore camp focused on the precise area that has repeatedly troubled Pakistan in major tournaments: staying composed when the match begins to slip away. “We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better,” she said. “It is very important to stay calm in pressure situations rather than pressing the panic button.”
Her return adds further leadership and all-round value after she missed Pakistan’s three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka, which they lost 2-1, to play for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. As the first Pakistani woman to feature in the competition, Sana scored 57 runs at an average of 19 and claimed three wickets at 37.66.
Pakistan will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Thailand on September 1, followed by a high-profile clash with India on September 5. Their final group match, against Hong Kong, is scheduled for September 7. Sana feels the Dubai conditions could work in Pakistan’s favour, but only if the team maintains discipline.
“Definitely the conditions are similar to Pakistan, and we are well aware of how we have to play in them,” she said. With preparation built around pressure, Pakistan now have an opportunity to show that their lessons against tougher opposition can translate into composure, sharper execution and a deeper Asia Cup run.
(Quotes sourced from Cricinfo)
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