DUBAI, UAE: In a moment of immense pride for Pakistan cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday unveiled the team of the tournament for the recently concluded Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, featuring Pakistan captain Fatima Sana as the sole representative from the Green Shirts, evidence of her extraordinary individual brilliance in an otherwise disappointing campaign.
Although Pakistan managed only one victory in the 12-team tournament, a consolation win against Netherlands in their final group-stage fixture, the 24-year-old captain emerged as a beacon of hope, delivering consistent all-round performances that caught the attention of cricket’s global governing body.
Pakistan skipper @imfatimasana has been named in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament 👏
She scored 85 runs, including a half-century, and finished as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 11 wickets 🎯#T20WorldCup | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/JDCaMMakPF
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) July 6, 2026
Her inclusion in the prestigious playing XI alongside four Australian champions and the tournament’s best performers underscores her growing stature in world cricket.
Fatima’s heroic all-round display
The young captain spearheaded Pakistan’s bowling attack throughout the World Cup, finishing with an impressive tally of 11 wickets in five matches at a remarkable average of 11.27. Her ability to strike at crucial moments and maintain pressure on opposing batters made her one of the tournament’s most lethal bowlers.
With the bat, Fatima accumulated 85 runs in five innings, but it was her breathtaking knock against South Africa that truly announced her arrival on the global stage. In a heroic yet heartbreaking effort, she single-handedly rescued Pakistan from the abyss of 50 for 8, anchoring the innings with a blistering unbeaten 55 to propel her side to 126 for 9.
She then followed it up with a spirited bowling performance, claiming three wickets for just 16 runs in 2.5 overs, nearly pulling off an improbable victory. Her all-round brilliance in that match epitomised her value to the team and cemented her place among the tournament’s elite.
Four members of Australia’s champion side feature in the ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup 2026 Team of the Tournament 👏
Take a look at the 12-member team ⬇️https://t.co/i3RLMmc5oe
— ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2026
Australia dominates team of the tournament
As expected, eventual champions Australia, who clinched their record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title by defeating arch-rivals England in a blockbuster final, dominated the ICC team with four players making the cut.
The Australian quartet includes opener Beth Mooney, the experienced Ellyse Perry, all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner and captain Sophie Molineux, who led her side to yet another historic triumph.
Runners-up and hosts England contributed two players, opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge and captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, recognising their vital roles in the finalists’ campaigns.
Full ICC Team of the Tournament
The playing XI also features South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp, Sri Lanka’s Nilakshika de Silva, Ireland’s Orla Prendergast and India’s Shree Charani, showcasing the global diversity of talent in the tournament.
Scotland all-rounder Darcey Carter was named the 12th player after an outstanding campaign in which she accumulated 208 runs in five innings at an impressive average of 52.00 and a strike rate of 111.82, narrowly missing out on a starting spot.
1️⃣2️⃣ game-changers from the 10th edition of the Women’s #T20WorldCup 2026 👌🎉
More ➡️ https://t.co/i3RLMmc5oe pic.twitter.com/quSn9yuTOQ
— ICC (@ICC) July 6, 2026
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)
- Beth Mooney (Australia) – Wicketkeeper
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (England) – Captain
- Ellyse Perry (Australia)
- Orla Prendergast (Ireland)
- Nilakshika Silva (Sri Lanka)
- Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)
- Ashleigh Gardner (Australia)
- Fatima Sana (Pakistan)
- Sophie Molineux (Australia)
- Shree Charani (India)
- Darcey Carter (Scotland) – 12th Player
A silver lining for Pakistan cricket
For Pakistan, Fatima Sana’s inclusion in the ICC Team of the Tournament is a significant achievement that highlights the individual quality present within the national setup, even as the team continues to rebuild and strive for consistency on the world stage.
Her performances with both bat and ball throughout the tournament have not only earned her global recognition but also reinforced her position as the backbone of Pakistan’s women’s cricket team. At just 24 years old, Fatima represents the future of Pakistan cricket, and her inclusion among the world’s best is a promising sign for the Green Shirts’ journey ahead.
