KARACHI: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana flew out of Dubai to Karachi, leaving the national side’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup campaign, after her father passed away in Karachi on Thursday, the country’s cricket board said.

Muneeba Ali will lead the side in the absence of Fatima, who has been a crucial cog in their campaign so far, which has seen Pakistan beat Sri Lanka in their tournament opener before facing a loss against archrivals India.

Fatima has set the tone with her leadership throughout the tournament, delivering a Player of the Match performance in Pakistan’s opening victory over Sri Lanka. Across two matches, she contributed 43 runs and took four wickets. She will be missed by her team-mates in Pakistan’s third match against Australia on Friday.

“Obviously, we are very saddened by the tragedy of the death of Fatima’s father,” Muneeba said in the pre-match press conference on Thursday. “It was a difficult time for her. Obviously, her departure will make a difference in our combination. But we have the resources to cover all the bases.”

In a statement, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the news of the death of Fatima’s father.

And the players and management of the team have also extended their sympathies, offering their support to Fatima during this difficult time.

Muneeba said the team was committed towards winning the next match and to show solidarity with their captain.

“When we got to know about Fatima, we were very sad,” she noted. “But she also said that we have to play well.

“We had the same approach that obviously it’s a sad moment for her and as a team we are also feeling the same way, but we have come here to win the match, and we have to focus on that as well so we are focused on that and will play well tomorrow.”

Published in Dawn, October 11th, 2024