Pakistan Women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana has signed a one-year contract with Australian club Perth Scorchers for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Following the Australian club’s announcement on Saturday, Fatima became the second Pakistani cricketer to feature in the major tournament.
According to a statement issued by the club, the 24-year-old all-rounder will be available for Perth Scorchers’ first eight matches of the 12th edition of the WBBL, which begins on October 29.
Her stay could also be extended, although this will depend on permission from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
If the PCB grants her an exemption from the training camp expected to be held ahead of Pakistan’s tour of the West Indies in December, she could play additional matches in the league.
Second Pakistani player in WBBL
With this contract, Fatima Sana has become the second Pakistani player to feature in the Women’s Big Bash League. Before her, former Pakistan captain Nida Dar represented Sydney Thunder in the 2019 edition, playing 11 matches.
This will be Fatima Sana’s second appearance in a foreign T20 league this year. She previously featured for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
‘It feels like a dream come true’
In a statement issued by Perth Scorchers, Fatima Sana expressed her excitement, saying, “I used to watch the WBBL from Pakistan and wonder what it would feel like to be part of such an amazing tournament.”
She added, “Now wearing the Scorchers jersey, representing such a great club and walking out in front of the fans at the WACA is an incredibly special moment for me.”
“The support I receive from fans back home makes this experience even more memorable. It really feels like a dream come true.”
Impressive career and world record
The right-arm medium-fast bowler and middle-order batter made her international debut in 2019 and quickly established herself among Pakistan’s leading all-rounders.
She has now represented Pakistan in more than 130 white-ball matches. Earlier this year, she scored a half-century off just 15 balls against Zimbabwe, setting a new world record for the fastest fifty in women’s T20I cricket.
Perth Scorchers welcome Pakistan captain
Perth Scorchers General Manager Kade Harvey warmly welcomed the Pakistan captain to the team, describing Fatima as “one of the most exciting and emerging young all-rounders in world cricket.”
Harvey added that the club’s management and cricket fans were eagerly looking forward to watching Fatima Sana perform at the iconic WACA Ground.
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