Pakistan Women’s Team Captain Fatima Sana Aims to Emulate ‘Captain Cool’ MS Dhoni

In New Delhi, Pakistan’s women’s cricket team captain, Fatima Sana, has openly expressed her admiration for Indian cricket legend MS Dhoni. As she gears up to lead her team in the 50-over Women’s World Cup later this month, she dreams of being as calm and composed as Dhoni, who is affectionately known as ‘Captain Cool.’ The tournament kicks off on September 30 and will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with all of Pakistan’s matches being played in Sri Lanka.

Fatima and her team made a strong impression during the qualifiers held earlier in April. They went unbeaten and are set to begin their World Cup journey against Bangladesh in Colombo on October 2. In a recent interview, Fatima acknowledged the natural jitters that come with captaining at such a significant event. “It’s normal to feel nervous at first, especially in a big tournament like the World Cup, but I take inspiration from Mahendra Singh Dhoni,” she shared.

Having seen Dhoni lead both the Indian national team and Chennai Super Kings, Fatima has keenly studied his decision-making on the field, his calm demeanor, and his ability to support his players. “When I got the captaincy, I aimed to be like him. I watched his interviews and learned a lot,” she added.

While Dhoni hung up his boots from international cricket on August 15, 2020, Fatima made her One Day International (ODI) debut against South Africa on May 6, 2019. The Pakistani women’s team has a mixed history in the Women’s ODI World Cup, having participated five times but struggling to secure wins in previous editions. Despite their rough journey, Fatima remains hopeful this time around. In the 2022 World Cup, they secured their one and only victory against the West Indies.

Fatima, who has accumulated 397 runs and taken 45 wickets in 34 ODIs, is confident that her team will break the losing streak. “This time, I believe we will succeed because our young players understand the importance of this tournament for women’s cricket in Pakistan. We will focus on the present and aim to reach the semifinals,” she stated.

She spoke about the growth of women’s cricket in Pakistan, highlighting how girls are now able to play the sport in schools, with live broadcasts of international matches being increasingly accessible. “The International Cricket Council (ICC) has also increased the prize money for the Women’s World Cup, which is encouraging for aspiring players,” she elaborated. However, she noted that challenges remain, stating, “In Pakistan, women’s cricket isn’t typically viewed as a career option. If we perform well, we can change that narrative. We aim to inspire parents to support their daughters in pursuing sports professionally.”

Fatima emphasized the importance of bowling and said that the team has been working diligently on batting over the past year. “We have outstanding bowlers, and our spin attack will be crucial. However, we’ve also put in significant effort to improve our batting skills,” she shared.

Preparation for the tournament has been thorough, with the team maintaining the rhythm they built during the qualifiers. Fatima mentioned a three-match series against South Africa scheduled before the World Cup to finalize their team combination. “The team is feeling good after the qualifiers, and having nearly the same players for the World Cup boosts our morale. Six players are new to the World Cup, and their excitement is palpable,” she noted.

The captain regards Australia as a formidable contender for the title but appreciates India’s consistent performance too. “My favorite team is Australia. It’s difficult to predict the semifinalists, but India’s recent track record has been impressive. They have experienced players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti Mandhana, and Harmanpreet Kaur. However, we won’t focus on any single player,” she stated.

Fatima also recognized the added pressure on India as hosts, noting that it could both motivate and weigh down the team. “Despite having the home crowd advantage, experiencing pressure to win can be challenging. It depends on how the team handles it,” she remarked.

Reflecting on her personal journey, Fatima began playing street cricket with her brothers in Karachi at the young age of 11. Tragically, she lost her father during the T20 World Cup last year but chose to honor him by focusing on her national duties. “My father dreamed of watching me play in the World Cup. I returned to fulfill that wish,” she concluded, drawing parallels to cricketing legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, who similarly played through their grief to honor their loved ones.

Fatima’s leadership and talent will be pivotal for Pakistan as they strive to create a memorable legacy in women’s cricket.

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Original Text – https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/want-to-be-captain-cool-like-dhoni-says-pakistan-womens-team-skipper-1901340