Pakistan’s young all-rounder Fatima Sana is adjudged as the ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2021.
The 20-years old was a surprise performer last year. Though played just 6 international matches prior to the year, Sana displayed some extraordinary performances with the ball, contributing with the bat as well in the 16 appearances (ODIs-13, T20Is-3) she made for Pakistan in 2021. Recording her best ODI spell of 5/39 that came in July against West Indies, she took 20 wickets in the format making it to the top of the ODI wicket tally equalling it with the Windies bowler Anisa Mohammed. Adding four more from the T20Is to her total tally for the year, she ended with 24 international wickets at an average of 23.95 along with contributing 165 runs at 16.50 as a lower-order batter. 18 of her impressive 24 wickets for the year came in the 11 matches she played against West Indies both as a visitor as well as the host.
20 Year Old Pakistan’s Fatima Sana has been selected as ‘Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2021’ 😍
Congratulations @imfatimasana 🙌@TheRealPCB pic.twitter.com/3ZvB6UCDW6
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 23, 2022
Fatima is the first woman from Pakistan to win an ICC accolade. She has further been nominated for the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket of the year award as well as is the second woman from the country after former captain Sana Mir to make it to ICC ODI cricket team of the year.
Fatima Sana in 2021 –
Matches- 16 (ODIs- 13, T20Is- 3)
Wickets- 24 (ODIs- 20, T20Is- 4)
Bowling Average- 23.95
Runs- 165 (ODIs- 132, T20Is- 33)
Batting Average- 16.50
In ODIs:
| Against | Matches | Wickets | Runs |
| South Africa | 3 | 2 | 38 |
| West Indies | 8 | 15 | 72 |
| Bangladesh | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Zimbabwe | 1 | 2 | 17 |
In T20Is:
| Against | Matches | Wickets | Runs |
| West Indies | 3 | 4 | 33 |
Congratulations Fatima Sana!!
Author of the poetry book ‘The Scent of Rhythm’, I am a passionate writer and a Sports enthusiast who writes on Cricket and plays Badminton.