A Courageous Comeback Amid Grief
Pakistan’s Women’s T20 World Cup journey ended in disappointment with a heavy loss to New Zealand, but their captain, Fatima Sana, captured hearts for her courageous performance while mourning the loss of her father. Sana had left the team after her father passed away in Karachi and missed the match against Australia, which Pakistan lost by nine wickets.
Despite her grief, the all-rounder made herself available for the crucial game against New Zealand, a must-win for Pakistan to stay in the tournament. She was visibly emotional during the playing of the national anthem, shedding tears as it resonated through the stadium.
Pakistan Falls Short, Misses Semi-Final Spot
On the field, Pakistan’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals hinged on this match. Following India’s earlier loss to Australia, a convincing win by Pakistan would have kept their chances alive and helped India qualify as well. Pakistan managed to restrict New Zealand to a modest total of 110/6 in 20 overs, setting the stage for what could have been a thrilling chase.
However, the pressure proved too much for Pakistan’s batters. Needing to chase down the target in just 12 overs, the team struggled to find the big hits required. They collapsed under the weight of expectations and were bowled out for a mere 56 runs in 11.4 overs, dashing both their own and India’s chances of progressing.
A Struggling Batting Lineup
From the start, Pakistan’s batting lineup seemed incapable of meeting the aggressive pace required. By the end of the powerplay, they were reeling at 28/5. Fatima Sana, who displayed determination in the face of adversity, was the team’s top scorer with 21 runs off 23 balls. She formed a brief but crucial partnership with Nida Dar, adding 24 runs for the sixth wicket.
Unfortunately, Pakistan lost their remaining five wickets for just four runs, getting bowled out before the 12-over mark, the cut-off point to qualify for the semi-finals.
Though the result didn’t go their way, Fatima Sana’s bravery and commitment will be remembered as a powerful moment in the tournament, showing the strength of spirit in times of personal loss.