Pakistan speed gun Fatima Sana storms back after injury layoff with career-best spell against New Zealand

Pakistan fast bowler Fatima Sana made a stunning return to international cricket with her career-best spell against New Zealand in the first T20I of the three-match series at the University Oval in Dunedin on Sunday, November 3.

The 22-year-old finished with figures of 4-0-18-3 and won the Player of the Match award after the Women in Green beat the White Ferns by seven wickets.

Sana got the wickets of Suzie Bates, Kate Anderson and Bernadine Bezuidenhout, helping Pakistan restrict the home team to 127 for the loss of six wickets in 20 overs.

The Karachi-born Sana also guided Pakistan to their maiden win over New Zealand in the Women’s T20Is in their ninth meeting since 2010.

Pakistan chased down the target with 10 balls to spare after 18-year-old Shawaal Zulfiqar scored 41 runs off 42 balls with seven fours. Muneeba Ali and Nida Dar scored 23 runs apiece while Aliya Riaz chipped in with an unbeaten 25 off 12 balls.

Sana making strong comeback

Earlier this year, Sana missed out on playing in the six white-ball matches on the tour of Bangladesh due to a leg injury that she sustained against South Africa.

Prior to the match on Sunday, Sana had his best figures of 3-0-27-0 against South Africa in T20Is back in May 2019 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni.

In 27 WT20Is thus far, Sana has picked up 21 wickets at an economy rate of 7.76. She is also no mug with the bat, having a top score of 35 not out.

Sana will now be looking to put her best foot forward in the second T20I against the White Ferns that is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, December 5.