What Fatima Sana's Historic Call From Birmingham Phoenix In Hundred Means To Pakistan

There is finally some good news for Pakistan cricket fans. Their captain, Fatima Sana, is set to become Pakistan’s first woman cricketer to play in the Hundred, the UK’s franchise cricket tournament, run by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The surprise news, reported by the BBC, stated that Birmingham Phoenix had picked Fatima as a wildcard entry and will play in this year’s tournament, kicking off on 21 July.

This brought immense joy to the Pakistan cricketing community, but it was also a moment of deep relief.

Fatima Sana Fought The Lone Fight

A match in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup frustrated the cricket-loving nation when Pakistan captain emerged as the lone fighter in the match between Pakistan and South Africa played on Wednesday. Batting first, Pakistan were

in all sorts of trouble, struggling to get going at 50 for 8 in 10.4 overs, and it seemed to be game over for the Women in Green, who had just arrived after a one-sided defeat to India in the World Cup opener.

Fatima Sana refused to bow down as she, with the help of Tuba Hassan, produced a masterclass in counterattacking and fearless cricket. Coming to bat at number 8 when Pakistan were reeling at 33-6 in 7.2 overs, Fatima went on to smash a stunning half-century, remaining unbeaten for 55 in 38 deliveries. Fatima (55) and Tuba (23) rebuilt Pakistan’s innings by stitching a record partnership of 71 runs for the 9th wicket, helping the side to 126-9. Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa reached the target in a nervy chase by 2 wickets. However, all eyes were on Fatima.

Also Read: Why Does Every Ben Duckett Innings End With Indians Bringing Up The IPL?

“Fatima Sana Deserved Better”

The cricket chorus online felt sorry for the Pakistan captain who was let down by her team and believed that the 24-year-old all-rounder deserved a better team. After her batting heroics, she returned with 3/16 in 2.5 overs against South Africa.

The Pakistan womens team doesn’t deserve Fatima Sana https://t.co/MtbdZjPMzC

— Fatima (@FatimaShah95) June 18, 2026

Fatima has become a cornerstone of the squad ever since she assumed captaincy in August 2024. The all-rounder’s stats shine through as Pakistan’s T20I skipper, having scored 555 runs at a brilliant batting average of 50.45 and a staggering strike rate of 163.71.

Call From Birmingham Phoenix

Fatima had initially gone unsold in the March auction, so her surprise entry in The Hundred has brought immense joy among passionate Pakistan cricket fans.

Birmingham Phoenix has signed Fatima Sana for The Hundred 🧡 pic.twitter.com/HnyUmPDJxZ

— Usman (@jamilmusman_) June 18, 2026

“That’s wonderful news. Hard work always pays off,” wrote @Uzatal, responding to the news.

“Of course she deserves, brilliant women cricketer, excellent keep it up!” wrote @MuhammadCh55542.

“She deserves that,” chimed a third.

From being too nervous to approach her idol in 2023, Fatima Sana will now be playing alongside Ellyse Perry for Birmingham Phoenix.#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/6BnynqPpUC https://t.co/Rizc006Gmq

— hypocaust (@_hypocaust) June 18, 2026

West Indies great and the voice of cricket, Ian Bishop, cheered on the Pakistan skipper.

👏👏👏👏👏 https://t.co/nM2TUcNnKI

— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) June 18, 2026

Earlier this year, Michael Vaughan urged ECB to remove Hundred franchises refusing Pakistani players, warning it undermined inclusivity and set a bad precedent.

“I am a huge fan of the Hundred, but it has to appeal to all supporters for it to have any credibility,” Vaughan wrote in his column for The Telegraph. This has the potential to turn away the large Pakistan population that lives in England and loves cricket. What message does that send about our game? If true, it makes a mockery of the stated aim of Richard Thompson, the ECB chairman, to make English cricket the most inclusive sport in the country,” he said.

A BBC report published earlier this year stated that Indian owners had majority stakes in four franchises in the Hundred, and these Indian-owned teams would simply ignore the 62 Pakistani players in the auction scheduled for March.