In an unusual move to prepare for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup, which gets underway on August 28, Pakistan’s women’s team played T20 matches against a men’s side before travelling to Dubai for the continental tournament.
Pakistan have never won the Women’s Asia Cup. Their closest attempts came in 2012 and 2016, when they reached the final in consecutive editions, only to lose to arch-rivals India on both occasions. It has now been a decade since Pakistan last reached the final, having been knocked out in the semi-finals in each of the previous two editions.
Hoping to leave no stone unturned this time, Fatima Sana’s side played T20 matches against the men’s team of the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy, featuring both teenage and senior players, during their pre-tournament camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
The matches were played under full Twenty20 rules rather than as scenario-based practice games, with the aim of exposing the players to greater pressure and helping them improve their decision-making in crucial moments against a tougher opponent.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said the matches had helped the team prepare for the challenges ahead.
“We are well prepared for the tournament,” Fatima 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.”
Pakistan head into the continental championship after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, where they managed just one win in five matches. Their only victory came against the Netherlands, while they suffered narrow defeats to South Africa and Bangladesh and were heavily tested by stronger opponents such as India and Australia.
Fatima was one of the few bright spots for Pakistan. She scored an unbeaten 55 against South Africa and finished the tournament with 11 wickets, the second-most in the competition.
The captain said handling pressure had been a major focus during their preparations.
“We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better, and that is something which is highlighted whenever there is a big tournament,” she said. “These matches have helped us on that front, and the difference will be visible.
“It is very important to stay calm in pressure situations rather than pressing the panic button. We have told the girls to stay calm in the crunch moments, stay in control, trust their hard work and execute the plans.”
Fatima will return to action at the Asia Cup after missing Pakistan’s recent series against Sri Lanka while featuring in The Hundred.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong. They will begin their campaign against Thailand on September 1, face India on September 5 and conclude their group-stage fixtures against Hong Kong on September 7.