Pakistan Women have been regulars in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, having appeared in all the 9 previous editions. However, they have never gone beyond the group stage, and in the 2026 tournament, their primary goal will be to break that barrier. The young squad will be aware of the challenges ahead and need to raise their game significantly for a memorable campaign.
Strength
Like other sub-continental teams, Pakistan can also boast a strong spin attack and will look to put pressure on the opposition during the middle overs. Their spin twin of Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sandhu can bamboozle the batters from even the top countries and give them the upper hand. Fatima Sana is a young and calm captain. How she can handle her bowlers, including herself, can be a deciding factor for Pakistan.
Weakness
However, Sana is aware that, aside from her and the experienced Diana Baig, there are not many great seam bowling options available, which can be a major challenge for them, leading to being blown away during the death overs and failing to take full advantage of the English conditions. Historically, their batting has lagged behind global T20 standards. It will be fascinating to see if young talents like Gull Feroza can break the norms and accelerate the innings.
Opportunity
These youngsters can consider this to be a great opportunity to make a name for themselves on the world’s greatest stage. They have five World Cup debutants in their ranks, and if these youngsters can perform without the pressure of high external expectations, it could be a massive game-changer. Pakistan will start their campaign against the arch-rival India. If Pakistan can pull off an upset against India — much like they did in 2021 — it would give them an early momentum and massive boost for the rest of the tournament.
Threat
But the reality is that for Pakistan, it is a massive task to face three of the world’s biggest teams, like Australia, India, and South Africa, in the group stage, who can blow them away with their aggressive brand of cricket. Even Bangladesh has improved significantly and can give Pakistan a run for its money.
Pakistan have some recent successes, including a series win against Zimbabwe in multiple formats. The recent Tri-Nation series in Ireland—featuring the hosts and the West Indies—gave Pakistan women much-needed exposure to British conditions and prepared them for the bigger challenges ahead.
Pakistan women: Fatima Sana (c), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Iram Javed, Eyman Fatima, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Saira Jabeen, Muneeba Ali, Tuba Hassan, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sandhu, Diana Baig, Tasmia Rubab
Preferred first XI: Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Natalia Pervaiz, Iram Javed, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana (c), Saira Jabeen, Tuba Hassan, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal
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