LAHORE: Following Pakistan’s emphatic victory in the final ODI against South Africa, skipper Fatima Sana addressed the media with a mix of pride, reflection, and forward-looking determination. Her words painted a clear picture of a team in transition—one that is learning to fight with intent, build depth, and prepare for bigger challenges ahead.
Fatima emphasized the importance of the win beyond the scoreboard: “Winning is always great, especially since these are ICC Championship matches where points really matter. Getting those two points boosts the team’s morale significantly.”
For her, the victory was not just about ending the series on a high, but about reinforcing belief within the squad. The captain singled out Sadaf Shamas for special praise, describing her as the kind of aggressive, powerful batter Pakistan needs: “When she bats, she looks aggressive and has real power in her shots. These are exactly the kind of players we need—those who show character and play for the team.”
Sadaf’s near-century was more than runs; it symbolized the new identity Pakistan women’s cricket is striving for. Fatima defended her rotation strategy, which saw debutants given opportunities: “Rotation is healthy because when everyone gets a chance, you don’t rely on just one person; the team grows as a whole.”
This approach reflects her vision of building resilience and depth, moving away from dependence on a handful of star players. Perhaps the most telling insight was her leadership philosophy: “My approach was to apply it to myself first.
I wanted the girls to see that what I’m demanding of them is something I’m doing myself. When I improved my own game, the girls started to believe that ‘Yes, this is the way to play.’” By transforming her own batting style—culminating in a dominant 60* in Durban—Fatima earned her teammates’ trust and set the tone for a more aggressive brand of cricket.
Fatima framed the upcoming Zimbabwe series as a testing ground: “It’s great that we have back-to-back matches before the World Cup. It allows us to try new things, execute plans, and test further rotations. The World Cup is what you prepare for, and we aim to be fully ready by the time it arrives.”
