Fatima Sana struck on the knee during training

Fatima Sana struck on the knee during training

Fatima Sana, the Pakistan captain, suffered an injury to her right knee after being hit by a straight shot from Ayesha Zafar in the nets on Saturday, casting doubt over her availability for the team's opening match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, against India, at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Fatima was hit on her follow-through and immediately collapsed in pain. The physios and teammates helped her off the nets, and she watched most of the practice from the sidelines while icing her right knee. She did not take any further part in the session.

After 45 minutes, she was able to walk without visible struggle and made her way to the main ground. Sana downplayed the incident: "It was just a normal hit of the ball. Ayesha baaji played the shot and hit me on the knee. I think it's good now. Hopefully I'll be good tomorrow."

Apart from being the lead pacer, Sana has been a prolific batter for the side. Since the last World Cup, she has scored at a strike rate of 183.06, including a 15-ball half-century — the fastest in Women's T20Is — and a 41-ball 90 against South Africa in Potchefstroom. She also played a key role in the team's win against South Africa in Benoni in February with an all-round performance (30-ball 47 and 2-12). Her fitness is critical to Pakistan's World Cup chances.