Perth Scorchers have made their third and final international signing for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League season, with Pakistan all-rounder Fatima Sana joining the club.
The 24-year-old, who has served as her country’s captain in recent years, is an explosive middle-order batter who also bowls dangerous right-arm medium pace.
Since debuting for her country in 2019, she has played 70 Twenty20 Internationals, scoring 957 runs at an average of 33 while taking 72 wickets.
Earlier this year, she broke the record for the fastest half-century in a women’s T20 International, surpassing a group including her new teammate Sophie Devine by reaching the milestone in only 15 deliveries against Zimbabwe.
Sana, who will be available for the first eight games of the season, said joining the Scorchers was a “dream come true”.
“I’ve watched the WBBL from Pakistan and always wondered what it would feel like to be part of this great competition,” she said.
“To now wear the Scorchers colours, represent such a great club and walk out at the WACA Ground in front of members and fans, while being cheered on by people back home, is incredibly special.”
Perth’s general manager Kade Harvey hailed Sana as “one of the most exciting young all-rounders in world cricket”.
“We’re thrilled to welcome her to Perth Scorchers for the upcoming summer,” Harvey said.
“A proven performer at the age of 24, we believe she fits our list profile really well and we’re excited to see how Fatima executes on the WACA Ground wicket.”
Sana will join returning pair Devine (New Zealand) and Freya Kemp (England) in the Scorchers’ overseas ranks for a season in which they will look to go one win better than last year’s loss to Hobart Hurricanes in The Final.
They also have Australia stars Beth Mooney and Alana King under contract, as well as fast bowlers Chloe Ainsworth, Ebony Hoskin and Ruby Strange, spinners Lilly Mills and Amy Edgar and batter Katie Mack.
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