Fatima Sana Scripts History, Becomes First Pakistani Women Cricketer To...

Pakistan all-rounder Fatima Sana is set to become the first female cricketer from her country to feature in the Women’s Hundred. She has been signed by Birmingham Phoenix in the wildcard draft on Thursday, at £15,000 (5.6 million PKR approx.).

According to ESPN Cricinfo, Sana filled the Phoenix’s fourth overseas spot after Cricket Australia withdrew Lucy Hamilton to manage her workload. However, her availability may be limited by Pakistan’s scheduled tour to Sri Lanka (which runs from July 23 to August 4).

“Signing Fatima Sana is a real statement of intent,” Phoenix director James Thomas was quoted as saying. “She is Pakistan’s captain, an international-quality pace bowler, and a strong replacement for Lucy Hamilton, who is unavailable due to her

commitments in Australia.”

Her selection came just a day after her impressive all-round performance in Pakistan’s loss to South Africa at Edgbaston, which is also the home ground of the Phoenix. Sana was the top-scorer with an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls from No. 8, and then picked up 3 for 16 with the ball, although South Africa managed to win by two wickets.

Sana is now the third Pakistani player to get a contract in the Hundred this season. She joins Usman Tariq at the Phoenix, while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed will play for Sunrisers Leeds after being signed for £190,000 in the March auction. His signing also eased concerns that Pakistan players might be ‘shadow-banned’ by the tournament’s new Indian investors.

Two more players from the Women’s T20 World Cup were picked in Thursday’s wildcard draft. Each team added two men’s and two women’s players on a minimum salary to complete their squads. Scotland openers Darcey Carter and Katherine Fraser were signed by Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave, respectively, and both will count as local players.

Women’s Hundred Wildcards (£15,000)

Birmingham Phoenix: Mary Taylor, Fatima Sana

Welsh Fire: Niamh Fiona Holland, Georgia Davis

London Spirit: Trudy Johnson, Liv Barnes

Trent Rockets: Amu Surenkumar, Eve Jones

The Manchester Super Giants: Mia Rogers, Beth Langston

MI London: Kate Coppack, Francesca Sweet

Southern Brave: Naomi Dattani, Katherine Fraser

Sunrisers Leeds: Darcey Carter, Sophia Turner.