Pakistan’s women cricketers have adopted an unconventional but demanding approach to their preparations for the upcoming Women’s T20 Asia Cup, taking on boys from the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy in a series of practice matches in Lahore.
The 20-over matches were played at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore as part of the team’s build-up to the continental tournament. The games provided Pakistan’s players with an opportunity to test their skills in competitive conditions and, crucially, experience the pressure of facing a physically demanding opposition.
The approach mirrors a preparation strategy used by Bangladesh’s women’s team ahead of the most recent Women’s ODI World Cup. Bangladesh had played matches against an under-15 boys’ side as part of their preparations for the global tournament. Pakistan have now followed a similar route as they look to arrive at the Asia Cup in strong competitive shape.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said the matches against the boys proved valuable because they forced the players to deal with pressure and challenging situations.
“We had very good preparation for the tournament. We played several competitive matches against boys, where we were put under pressure. This experience and the lessons we learnt will help us adapt to the tough challenges of the competition,” Fatima said.
For Pakistan, the value of such matches extends beyond conventional net sessions. Competitive games allow players to assess their decision-making when the situation changes quickly, while batters and bowlers can work on executing their plans against opponents who may offer a different level of intensity.
The timing of the exercise is also significant, with the Asia Cup set to bring together some of the leading women’s teams in the region. Pakistan will need to maintain consistency throughout the group stage, where every match carries importance in the race for qualification.
The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates, with the tournament scheduled to begin in Dubai on 28 August. The competition will run until 13 September.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong. Their campaign will begin against Thailand on 1 September.
The group also sets up a highly anticipated contest against India, adding further significance to Pakistan’s preparations. Matches against Thailand and Hong Kong will be equally important as Pakistan seek to secure their position in the next stage of the competition.
With the tournament approaching, the practice matches in Lahore have given Fatima Sana’s side an opportunity to sharpen their competitive instincts before the pressure of the Asia Cup begins. The real test, however, will come when Pakistan face their regional rivals and other opponents on the tournament stage.
