Fatima Sana confident Pakistan can break losing streak against India

Pakistan women’s cricket team captain Fatima Sana has expressed strong confidence in her side ahead of their highly anticipated ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 clash against arch-rivals India, scheduled for Sunday at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, the 23-year-old skipper brushed aside concerns about Pakistan’s winless record against India in ODIs, asserting that her team is capable of beating any side through disciplined and determined cricket.

“Records are meant to be broken. It is not true that we will never win against India. We can beat any team by playing good cricket,” Fatima Sana declared, exuding optimism ahead of the high-voltage encounter.

“We have good memories of playing against India in the past,” she added, suggesting that her team draws motivation rather than pressure from facing their traditional rivals.

India have dominated the head-to-head record, winning all 11 previous women’s ODIs against Pakistan. However, Pakistan enter this contest determined to challenge that trend and secure what would be a historic first victory over their neighbours.

“Coaches told me to believe in myself. Losing one match doesn’t matter; the whole tournament is still ahead. We don’t think about outside distractions,” she said.

The all-rounder also lavished praise on Diana Baig and mentioned the importance of senior players’ support.

“Diana Baig is a very good player, and she supports the youngsters. Hopefully, we will deliver better performances in the coming matches. Muneeba Ali has performed in the past; you can’t drop a player after just one or two matches. Senior players’ support is very important for me.”

She aimed to repeat the Qualifiers performance, held earlier this year in which Pakistan demonstrated impressive performance and emerged victorious.

“We played well in the Qualifiers; we need to repeat that performance. We have the power to beat any team,” she concluded.

Pakistan Squad for Women’s World Cup 2025

Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah.