Fatima Sana's Pakistan Step Up Asia Cup Preparations with Matches Against Men's Team

Pakistan have taken an unconventional approach to their preparations for the Women's T20 Asia Cup, playing competitive T20 matches against the men's side of the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy during their pre-tournament camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

With the Asia Cup scheduled to begin in Dubai on August 28, Pakistan are hoping the matches against teenage and senior male cricketers will help them improve their decision-making and ability to handle pressure in crucial moments.

Rather than using the games as scenario-based training exercises, Pakistan played full 20-over matches to recreate the pressure and uncertainty of competitive cricket. The tougher opposition also provided the players with a chance to test themselves against higher levels of skill and fitness.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana believes the approach has strengthened the team's preparations.
"We are well prepared for the tournament," Sana said. "We have played competitive matches against boys in which we were put under pressure. These learnings will help us adapt to the challenges of the competition."

Pakistan have struggled to close out tight matches in recent T20Is, with a lack of attention to detail and inconsistent performances under pressure becoming recurring concerns.

At this year's T20 World Cup, Pakistan managed just one victory from five matches, defeating the Netherlands. They were criticised after letting opportunities slip against South Africa and Bangladesh, while their fielding and performances against stronger opponents India and Australia also raised concerns.

Sana was one of the few standout performers for Pakistan during the tournament. The allrounder finished with 11 wickets, the joint second-highest tally overall and the most by a fast bowler. She also scored an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls against South Africa, finishing the tournament with a batting average of 21.25 and a strike rate of 110.38.

The Pakistan captain said the recent training matches were specifically designed to address the team's struggles in high-pressure situations.
"We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better, and that is something which is highlighted whenever there is a big tournament," Sana said.

"These matches have helped us on that front, and the difference will be visible. It is very important to stay calm in pressure situations rather than pressing the panic button. We have told the girls to stay calm in the crunch moments, and stay in control by trusting their hard work and executing the plans."

Sana returns to Pakistan's T20I side after missing the three-match series in Sri Lanka in July and August, which Pakistan lost 2-1. She had opted to play in the Hundred instead, representing Birmingham Phoenix after being selected in the replacement draft.

Her stint in England also made history, as she became the first Pakistan women's cricketer to play in the Hundred. Sana took three wickets at 37.66 and scored 57 runs at an average of 19 for Phoenix.
"It was exciting to play in the Hundred as all eyes were on me because I was the first ever woman cricketer [from Pakistan] to play in the competition," she said.

"It is always a great honour to represent Pakistan. I wanted to do my best, and thankfully, I was able to do good, which I hope will open the doors for more women in the competition."

Pakistan will enter the Asia Cup looking to improve on their recent record in the tournament. They last reached the final a decade ago, while in the previous edition they were eliminated in the semi-final by eventual champions Sri Lanka.

The Women's Asia Cup will be played in Dubai from August 28 to September 13. Pakistan have been drawn in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Thailand and Hong Kong.

They will begin their campaign against Thailand on September 1 before facing India on September 5. Their final group-stage match will be against Hong Kong on September 7.

Sana believes Pakistan's familiarity with conditions in Dubai could also work in their favour.
"Definitely the conditions [in Dubai] are similar [to Pakistan], and we are well-aware about how we have to play in them," she said.

With their intensive preparations complete, Pakistan will now look to translate the lessons from their matches against the men's side into performances under pressure when their Asia Cup campaign gets underway.