Pakistan captain Fatima Sana hopes more women cricketers from her country will have opportunities to compete in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), believing overseas experience can help players improve and strengthen Pakistan’s national team.
In her interview to CricBlog in Melbourne, the all-rounder discussed her first WBBL season with Perth Scorchers, the guidance she has received from experienced teammates and her hopes for greater recognition of women’s cricket in Pakistan.
Sana made an encouraging WBBL debut against Melbourne Renegades on October 31, 2026, taking 2 for 27 from four overs as Perth Scorchers secured a nine-wicket victory at the WACA Ground. Her appearance made her only the second Pakistani woman to feature in the competition, following Nida Dar, who represented Sydney Thunder in 2019.
The 24-year-old described joining the Scorchers as an honour and welcomed the opportunity to compete alongside leading international players while gaining experience in one of the world’s most established women’s franchise leagues.
Fatima Sana Learns From Sophie Devine at Perth Scorchers
Sana has enjoyed her introduction to the WBBL, where she shares a dressing room with New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine and Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney.
“To come and play over here and to avail this opportunity is an honour,” Sana said.
Devine has been particularly influential, offering advice and discussing bowling with the Pakistan captain. The experienced New Zealand international has played franchise cricket around the world, giving Sana an opportunity to learn from a player familiar with different conditions and high-pressure situations.
“She’s a world-class player, and the kind of performances she has all over the world are truly very good,” Sana said.
She explained that observing experienced internationals and learning from their approach has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her time with Perth Scorchers. The opportunity to discuss bowling techniques and match situations with established players has also contributed to her development.
Playing alongside Devine and Mooney has exposed Sana to different approaches to preparation and decision-making, experiences she hopes will benefit her when representing Pakistan in international cricket.
Sana Hopes More Pakistan Players Receive WBBL Opportunities
Having experienced the competition firsthand, Sana wants other Pakistani women cricketers to have similar opportunities.
She believes participating in overseas leagues can expose players to different conditions and stronger competition, helping them become better prepared for international cricket.
“It would be an honour if more Pakistani players came to play over here since it’s my personal wish to see more Pakistani girls come and play over here,” she said.
Sana’s participation is particularly significant because Pakistani representation in the WBBL has been limited. Before her debut in October 2026, Nida Dar was the only Pakistani woman to have played in the competition, representing Sydney Thunder during the 2019 season.
The seven-year gap between their appearances highlights the limited opportunities Pakistani women have had to participate in Australia’s leading domestic T20 competition.
Sana hopes her involvement will encourage greater Pakistani participation in international franchise tournaments and demonstrate what players from her country can achieve at that level.
Her ambitions extend beyond individual development. She believes opportunities to compete alongside established international cricketers can help Pakistani players gain confidence and valuable experience that they can bring back to the national team.
2028 Women’s T20 World Cup Could Raise Cricket’s Profile in Pakistan
Sana also highlighted the importance of the 2028 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which Pakistan has been awarded the right to host. The tournament will bring a major international women’s cricket event to the country, although matches involving India are subject to neutral-venue arrangements under the ICC’s hosting framework.
Sana believes the competition could attract greater public interest in women’s cricket and encourage more girls to participate in the sport.
According to the Pakistan captain, increased visibility may also help young players gain family support, particularly those who face difficulties obtaining permission to pursue cricket.
She welcomed the ICC’s decision to award the tournament to Pakistan and hopes it will provide a platform for female cricketers to gain recognition.
For Sana, the significance of hosting the World Cup extends beyond results on the field. She sees the event as an opportunity to demonstrate the potential of women’s cricket in Pakistan and encourage greater participation among younger generations.
She believes that seeing international players compete in a major tournament could inspire girls who have previously had limited exposure to women’s cricket.
While the long-term impact of the event remains to be seen, Sana hopes it will contribute to a stronger environment for women pursuing cricket professionally.
Fatima Sana Calls for Equal Support for Women’s Cricket
Beyond creating opportunities for players, Sana wants women’s cricket in Pakistan to receive the same attention and support as the men’s game. She hopes women’s international matches will attract larger crowds and generate the enthusiasm regularly seen at men’s fixtures.
“My dream is to see such a time come, of course. It should! And obviously, with the way we’re seeing that cricket is growing all over the world, so I think that personally my dream is that it grows even in Pakistan and be it men’s or women’s….Obviously, playing sports matter irrespective of whether they are men’s or women’s. So of course, I hope that the kind of level the men are playing…..The way crowds get filled for them…..The crowds should similarly get filled for the women as well.” Sana said.
The Pakistan captain believes sporting achievements deserve recognition regardless of gender and wants female cricketers to receive greater encouragement from supporters. Her comments reflect a broader ambition to see women’s cricket become more visible in Pakistan, with players receiving recognition for their performances and opportunities to develop their careers.
Sana also hopes that increased attention will encourage more families to support girls who want to pursue cricket, helping create a stronger foundation for the sport’s future.
For the all-rounder, greater equality would mean not only improved recognition for the national team but also a cricket environment in which young female players feel encouraged to participate and develop their skills.
WBBL Experience Strengthens Sana’s Ambitions for Pakistan
Sana’s first WBBL season has provided her with an opportunity to compete in a major overseas tournament while learning from experienced international players. Her debut performance of 2 for 27 against Melbourne Renegades demonstrated her ability to contribute in the competition, while her time alongside Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney has offered valuable opportunities for professional development.
As only the second Pakistani woman to play in the WBBL, Sana hopes her participation will help open the door for others seeking opportunities in international franchise cricket.
Her ambitions also extend to the growth of women’s cricket at home, particularly with Pakistan preparing to host the 2028 Women’s T20 World Cup. Sana believes the coming years could provide an important opportunity to increase public interest, encourage more girls to play and strengthen support for Pakistan’s women’s national team.
Although her immediate focus remains on contributing to Perth Scorchers, the Pakistan captain hopes her overseas experience will become more common among female cricketers from her country. Her ultimate ambition is to see a future in which Pakistani women’s cricket receives the same enthusiasm, recognition and encouragement as the men’s game.
