Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s New Women’s Captain, Inspired by Dhoni, Gears Up to Challenge India
Karachi: On Sunday, October 5 (from 3:00 PM), Pakistan’s women’s cricket team under new skipper Fatima Sana will take on Harmanpreet Kaur-led India in Colombo. Don’t be surprised if Fatima channels the “Captain Cool” approach of India’s cricket legend MS Dhoni. In fact, she has openly said in an interview, “I want to be a Captain Cool like MS Dhoni.”
The Women’s ODI World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, begins on September 30. Fatima Sana, a pace-bowling all-rounder, has been handed the captaincy of Pakistan’s squad. She has played 34 ODIs, taking 45 wickets and scoring 397 runs. All of Pakistan’s matches will be held in Colombo. The team was unbeaten in the qualifiers and will play its World Cup opener against Bangladesh on October 2.
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Speaking to PTI Bhasha, Fatima said, “It’s natural to feel a little nervous when you’re leading in a big tournament like the World Cup, but I’ve drawn inspiration from MS Dhoni’s style of captaincy.”
Having only recently been named captain, Fatima added, “I’ve watched many matches where Dhoni led both the Indian national team and Chennai Super Kings. I’ve learned from him how to take quick decisions on the field, stay calm under pressure, lead effectively, and back your players. When I was appointed captain, I decided I wanted to be a leader like Dhoni. I’ve also watched his interviews, and they’ve taught me so much. I’m determined to take Pakistan into the semifinals.”
Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020. Pakistan’s women’s team has played in five ODI World Cups. In the 1997, 2013, and 2017 editions, they failed to win a single match. In the 2022 World Cup, their only win was against the West Indies, finishing at the bottom of the standings.