In an uncommon transfer to organize for the upcoming Ladies’s Asia Cup, which will get underway on August 28, Pakistan’s women’s team performed T20 matches in opposition to a males’s aspect earlier than travelling to Dubai for the continental event.
Pakistan have by no means gained the Ladies’s Asia Cup. Their closest makes an attempt got here in 2012 and 2016, once they reached the ultimate in consecutive editions, solely to lose to arch-rivals India on each events. It has now been a decade since Pakistan final reached the ultimate, having been knocked out within the semi-finals in every of the earlier two editions.
Hoping to depart no stone unturned this time, Fatima Sana’s aspect performed T20 matches in opposition to the lads’s workforce of the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy, that includes each teenage and senior gamers, throughout their pre-tournament camp on the Nationwide Cricket Academy in Lahore.
The matches have been performed underneath full Twenty20 guidelines somewhat than as scenario-based follow video games, with the intention of exposing the gamers to better stress and serving to them enhance their decision-making in essential moments in opposition to a more durable opponent.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana stated the matches had helped the workforce put together for the challenges forward.
“We’re nicely ready for the event,” Fatima stated. “We’ve performed aggressive matches in opposition to boys by which we have been put underneath stress. These learnings will assist us adapt to the challenges of the competitors.”
Pakistan head into the continental championship after a disappointing T20 World Cup marketing campaign, the place they managed only one win in 5 matches. Their solely victory got here in opposition to the Netherlands, whereas they suffered slim defeats to South Africa and Bangladesh and have been closely examined by stronger opponents akin to India and Australia.
Fatima was one of many few vibrant spots for Pakistan. She scored an unbeaten 55 in opposition to South Africa and completed the event with 11 wickets, the second-most within the competitors.
The captain stated dealing with stress had been a significant focus throughout their preparations.
“We would have liked to know easy methods to deal with the stress higher, and that’s one thing which is highlighted at any time when there’s a huge event,” she stated. “These matches have helped us on that entrance, and the distinction shall be seen.
“It is vitally vital to remain calm in stress conditions somewhat than urgent the panic button. We’ve advised the ladies to remain calm within the crunch moments, keep in management, belief their arduous work and execute the plans.”
Fatima will return to motion on the Asia Cup after lacking Pakistan’s latest collection in opposition to Sri Lanka whereas that includes in The Hundred.
Pakistan have been positioned in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong. They’ll start their marketing campaign in opposition to Thailand on September 1, face India on September 5 and conclude their group-stage fixtures in opposition to Hong Kong on September 7.
