KARACHI: Pakistan women’s captain Fatima Sana will become the first player from the country to feature in the women’s edition of The Hundred after being signed by Birmingham Phoenix in Thursday’s wildcard draft.
The all-rounder has taken up Phoenix’s fourth overseas slot, which opened up after Cricket Australia withdrew Lucy Hamilton to manage her workload.
Sana will earn the tournament’s minimum salary of £15,000 (approximately 5.6 million PKR), although her participation may be limited due to Pakistan’s scheduled tour of Sri Lanka from July 23 to August 4.
Her selection comes just hours after a standout all-round performance in Pakistan’s narrow defeat to South Africa at Edgbaston, Phoenix’s home ground. Sana top-scored with an unbeaten 55 off 38 balls from No. 8, before taking 3 for 16 as South Africa edged home with two wickets in hand.
Sana becomes the third Pakistan player to secure a contract in The Hundred this year. She joins Usman Tariq at Birmingham Phoenix, while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed is set to represent Sunrisers Leeds after being signed for £190,000 at March’s auction.
His inclusion has eased concerns that Pakistan players could be sidelined under the tournament’s new Indian ownership structure.
Elsewhere in the wildcard draft, several players from the Women’s T20 World Cup secured deals. Each franchise signed two men’s and two women’s players on minimum contracts to complete their squads.
The Hundred will run from July 21 to August 16 this summer, marking the first season since private investors assumed partial or full control of franchises.
