Under grey Colombo skies, Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana, just 23 years old, showcased maturity and firepower well beyond her years in the ongoing Women’s World Cup 2025 against England, led by Nat Sciver-Brunt, on October 15, 2025, at the R. Premadasa Stadium.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Sana led her side from the front with a spell of precision and purpose, returning with standout figures of 6-1-27-4 that dismantled England’s top order. Her spell was instrumental in reducing the visitors to a fragile 79/7 in 25 overs, before late-order resistance and rain drama delayed the inevitable fightback.
For a while, Colombo seemed headed toward déjà vu. Rain clouds rolled in, threatening a repeat of the previous day’s abandoned contest between New Zealand (led by Sophie Devine) and Sri Lanka (led by Chamari Athapaththu), the 15th game of the tournament, where both sides shared points amid a washout on October 14.
Fortunately, the downpour relented after a lengthy delay, allowing a reduced 31-overs-per-side contest to resume. England’s lower order, powered by Charlie Dean (33 off 51) and Emily Arlott (18 off 23), added a spirited 54 runs in the final six overs, pushing England’s total to 133/9 in their allocation.
When play resumed, the target was revised to 113 runs for Pakistan in 31 overs. Yet, the real highlight of the day was Fatima Sana’s spell, a masterclass in controlled aggression, movement, and leadership. She dismissed England’s Amy Jones (8 off 8) early before striking with precision to remove Heather Knight (18 off 17) and the opposition skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (4 off 10).
Her final scalp, Charlie Dean, sealed her dominance, wrapping up a memorable four-wicket haul that not only turned the tide but also etched her name in Pakistan’s World Cup history books.
Her figures of 6-1-27-4 now rank as the third-best ODI World Cup bowling performance by a Pakistani woman, underscoring her remarkable consistency in global tournaments. Through four innings, Sana has emerged as Pakistan’s leading wicket-taker and the joint second-highest wicket-taker of the entire tournament, with 9 wickets at an average of 16 and an economy of 4.23, including this four-wicket masterpiece. At just 23, her composure on the big stage stands as a beacon for Pakistan’s younger generation amid a tough campaign.
Despite Sana’s brilliance, Pakistan’s journey in the 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, has been challenging. They have endured a trio of defeats, starting with Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana Joty, who triumphed by seven wickets on October 2; followed by comprehensive losses to India under Harmanpreet Kaur by 88 runs on October 5, and Australia, led by Alyssa Healy, by 107 runs on October 8. Yet, Sana’s fighting spirit and rhythm with the ball provided a glimmer of resurgence for a side eager to reignite its campaign.
Since her ODI debut against South Africa at Potchefstroom on May 6, 2019, Fatima Sana has steadily evolved into one of Pakistan’s most reliable all-rounders. In 53 ODIs, she has claimed 72 wickets at an average of 28.02 and an economy of 5.35, delivering four four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul, numbers that reflect her progression from a promising teenager to a game-shaping leader.
As Pakistan’s skipper walked off the ground after her latest masterstroke in Colombo, rain-soaked yet resolute, her performance served as a stirring reminder that form, and faith can coexist even in adversity. Fatima Sana’s spell wasn’t just a bowling display; it was a declaration of intent, signaling that Pakistan’s spirit remains very much alive in this World Cup campaign.
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