Last Updated on 13 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Fatima Sana is one of the high profile overseas players currently playing the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
Ever since she signed with Perth Scorchers, fans from Pakistan have been keeping a close eye on all games featuring the Beth Mooney-led side. Fatima had a memorable WBBL debut, where she took 2/27 off four overs against the Melbourne Renegades.
Fatima is one of the premier all-rounders in women’s cricket, leading Pakistan from the front more often than not. However, that doesn’t stop her from seeking to learn, picking the brain of White Ferns legend and Scorchers teammate Sophie Devine on a regular basis.
During an exclusive interview with Arvind Kalyana Krishnan in Melbourne for CricBlog, Fatima Sana spoke about:
- How fortunate and honoured she feels to be playing the WBBL, and how other cricketers can benefit from playing in the league.
- Playing alongside Sophie Devine and Scorchers captain Beth Mooney and learning so much from them.
- Pakistan getting the green signal to host the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2028.
- Her hope that women’s cricket receives the same support as men’s cricket in Pakistan.
Fatima Sana interview: Playing with players like Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney is great for my growth
Below is the entire conversation (and video) between Arvind Kalyana Krishnan and Fatima Sana (Transcribed From Urdu/Hindi to English):
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: Firstly, welcome to WBBL! Since you have so many fans over here….I mean ever since you’ve come here, there’s a lot of enthusiasm for you, so how do you feel to be at the WBBL?
Fatima Sana: Firstly, Alhamdullilah! To come and play over here and to avail this opportunity is an honour. And the kind of team we have, it feels really nice to play with them over here. They’re very supporting and helpful. I think just like how the likes of Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney and the other kind of players we have…..To play with them, it’s very good for my personal growth.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: And since you just mentioned Sophie Devine….We saw on many occasions that you were constantly speaking to her, taking tips from her. So can you speak about your experience playing with Sophie Devine?
Fatima Sana: Of course! She’s a world-class player, and the kind of performances she has all over the world are truly very good and as a youngster when you look at such things and at such kind of players, you also will want to try to learn from them and play with them…..Also, with the way she’s so supporting and so helpful while bowling…..So I think the communication I have with her is very helpful.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: If we talk about Pakistan cricket, then over here how in the WBBL like we saw, the standards are very high. So do you think that it would be better for Pakistan women’s cricket if more Pakistan cricketers start playing the WBBL?
Fatima Sana: Of course! It would be an honour if more Pakistani players came to play over here since it’s my personal wish to see more Pakistani girls come and play over here as so that cricket can grow more in Pakistan.
Also, it’s a good sign from the ICC that the World Cup will be held in Pakistan which will result in a lot of girls coming in the limelight and when they watch the World Cup take place in Pakistan, a lot of girls will get permission from their parents to play cricket. So I think it’s a good sign. Them (girls from Pakistan) playing over here, playing in Pakistan….It’ll be a good sign.
Arvind Kalyana Krishnan: Since you’re so famous, do you think that with the way Pakistan’s women’s cricket is going ahead, can there come a time where Pakistan men’s team and Pakistan women’s team are treated equally? What do you think about that?
Fatima Sana: My dream is to see such a time come, of course. It should! And obviously, with the way we’re seeing that cricket is growing all over the world, so I think that personally my dream is that it grows even in Pakistan and be it men’s or women’s….Obviously, playing sports matter irrespective of whether they are men’s or women’s. So of course, I hope that the kind of level the men are playing…..The way crowds get filled for them…..The crowds should similarly get filled for the women as well.
