Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana suffered a major injury scare, a day before her team is slated to face arch-rivals India in their campaign opener of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
While bowling in the nets at Edgbaston, Fatima was struck on her knee by a powerful straight drive from opener Ayesha Zafar. She collapsed in severe pain and was helped off the field by the physio and teammates.
Fatima spent most of the remainder of the pre-match training session on the sidelines with an ice pack strapped to her right knee.
About 45 minutes later, the Pakistan captain was seen walking normally. She later stated in a press conference that the blow wasn’t serious and she would be available for Sunday’s (June 14) clash against India in Birmingham.
“It was just a normal shot from Ayesha and I was hit below the knee. But I think it is good now," Sana said while speaking to the media.
As the spearhead of the pace attack and one of the most destructive hitters in the lower order, Fatima Sana’s ability to perform under pressure is critical to Pakistan's ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign.
She recently broke the world record for the fastest Women's T20I half-century, reaching the milestone in just 15 balls against Zimbabwe. Fatima also hogged the headlines for her blistering knock of 41-ball 90 against South Africa in Potchefstroom.
