Pakistan captain Fatima Sana creates history, becomes first Pakistani woman signed for the Hundred

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana has shattered a significant barrier, becoming the first Pakistani woman cricketer to be signed for England's cutting-edge 100-ball tournament, The Hundred. Joining Birmingham Phoenix via the Vitality Wildcard Draft, Sana's historic selection on June 18, 2026, follows a series of electrifying, record-breaking performances in the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Her signing caps a remarkable week, during which Sana etched her name into the Women's T20 World Cup history books as the first captain ever to score a half-century and claim three wickets in a single match, an all-round masterclass against South Africa at Edgbaston on June 17. This came just over a month after she smashed the fastest-ever fifty in Women's T20 International history, achieving the feat in a mere 15 balls against Zimbabwe on May 15. The Hundred, which runs from July 21 to August 16, 2026, aims to captivate new audiences with its fast-paced format and has seen increased investment in player payments, making Sana's inclusion a significant testament to her burgeoning global reputation. While Sana's £15,000 contract with Birmingham Phoenix is a major step for Pakistani women's cricket, her immediate availability for the tournament, set to begin on July 21, could be impacted by Pakistan's scheduled tour of Sri Lanka from July 23 to August 4. This potential overlap highlights the ongoing challenges of managing player workload and national commitments in a rapidly expanding global cricket calendar. All eyes will be on how Sana balances these demands, further amplifying her role as a pioneering figure for emerging cricketing nations on the international stage.