Pakistan women's team to play T20 matches against men's side for shocking reason ahead of Asia Cup 2026

Pakistan’s women’s cricket team played T20 matches against a men’s side as part of their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup. Captain Fatima Sana revealed that the team used the unusual approach during their training camp before travelling to Dubai.

The matches were played at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore against teenage and senior players from the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy. The games followed full T20 rules and were organised to help the Pakistan players prepare for the challenges of the tournament.

Pakistan have never won the Women’s Asia Cup. They reached the final in 2012 and 2016 but lost to India on both occasions. The team will now travel to Dubai for the 2026 tournament, which begins on August 28, with Fatima Sana leading the side.

Fatima Sana reveals why her squad faced a men's team just days before the Asia Cup

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana revealed that her team played against a men’s side to improve their decision-making under pressure. The matches were aimed at helping the players handle tougher situations, especially after their recent struggles in major tournaments.

“We have played competitive matches against boys in which we were put under pressure. These learnings will help us adapt to the challenges of the competition,” Fatima Sana said, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

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Fatima also stressed the importance of staying calm during crucial moments. “We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better,” she said. “It is very important to stay calm in pressure situations rather than pressing the panic button, and stay in control by trusting their hard work and executing the plans.”

"We played under pressure" — Inside Pakistan's unconventional prep strategy

Pakistan’s women’s team played T20 matches against the men’s side of the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy during their training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. The matches were played under full T20 rules rather than as specific practice scenarios.

The main aim was to put Pakistan’s players under greater pressure and improve their decision-making in difficult situations. Captain Fatima Sana believes the experience will help the team handle tough moments during the Women’s Asia Cup. “We are well prepared for the tournament. We have played competitive matches against boys in which we were put under pressure. These learnings will help us adapt to the challenges of the competition,” Fatima said, as quoted by Cricinfo.

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Pakistan enter the Asia Cup after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, where they won only one of their five matches. Their only victory came against the Netherlands, while they suffered defeats against stronger teams and also faced close losses to South Africa and Bangladesh.

Asia Cup 2026 begins August 28 — Pakistan open vs Thailand, face India on September 5

Pakistan will enter the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 looking to improve after a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. The team won only one of their five matches, while captain Fatima Sana was one of the few bright spots, scoring an unbeaten 55 against South Africa and taking 11 wickets.

Fatima said handling pressure has been a major focus during Pakistan’s preparations for the Asia Cup. “We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better, and that is something which is highlighted whenever there is a big tournament,” she said. “It is very important to stay calm in pressure situations rather than pressing the panic button.”

Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong. They will begin their campaign against Thailand on September 1, face India on September 5 and play Hong Kong on September 7. Fatima will also return to the squad after missing Pakistan’s recent series against Sri Lanka while playing in The Hundred.