Fatima Sana highlights positives after Sri Lanka series loss

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana lamented the missed opportunities after her side let a 1-0 lead slip, with Sri Lanka winning the final two ODIs to clinch the series 2-1.

Despite the disappointing result, Sana chose to focus on the positives from what she described as a challenging yet valuable series, leaning on the lessons learned and encouraging performances that the team can build on moving forward.

“We are disappointed because of the way we started in the first match and how we performed after that. We are disappointed, but we are still trying to take as much positive from this as possible,” Fatima Sana said in a PCB video.

Sana admitted Pakistan's batters were unable to fully capitalise on what she described as good batting conditions. She urged the younger players in the squad to step up and provide greater support to the senior players, believing stronger collective contributions would help the team make the most of promising positions. 

“It's a batting track and the way we didn't bat that much, our early on three wickets fell. After that we tried, but we are already in the struggle phase.

"So I think after seniors, if there is a responsibility on juniors, they should avail that opportunity. So I think it's a sign that the younger players in the middle order should step up as much as they can.”

Sana reserved special praise for the contributions of Sidra Amin and Gull Feroza, who finished as Pakistan's leading run-scorers in the series, while also acknowledging the efforts of the rest of the batting unit. She also highlighted the impressive performances of bowlers Nashra Sandhu and Umm-e-Hani.

“In batting, I see how Gul Feroza and Sadaf [Shamas] gave us a start in powerplay. After that, Sidra [Amin] continuously tried to build her innings. The way she played in the first and second match, there was already a lot of pressure on her, but still she continued,” said Sana.

“So I think it's a good sign for the team that Muneeba[Ali] proved herself at the fifth number. So still there are a lot of things in the team that are going well.”

“But the sooner we improve things, the better. In bowling, the way Umm-e-Hani bowled, still the way Nashra[Sandhu] is bowling is very helpful for the team.

"But I think the sooner the youngsters improve, the more positive it will be for the team. And the effort is the same. The more youngsters we bring into the game, the better.”

Despite the defeat, Sana refused to dwell on the result, instead viewing it as another step in her team's development. She urged her players to maintain the same positive intent as the focus now shifts to the T20I series. 

“The message to the team is to keep the same approach and the same intent. Because obviously when you are working on something, there are some failures and some successes,” said the Pakistan skipper.

“So I think at that time, there is a need for patience as a team and as an audience. The more patience we have, the better. So the sooner the team grows, the better for the team. And God willing, the results will not be the same.”

Sana praised the way every player in the squad has embraced their role and remains committed to improving it, believing that their collective growth will continue to raise the overall standard of the team. 

“The way I talk about the clarity of the roles, it was very good that everyone knew their roles. And whoever was going into the situation knew what he had to do and what the team was demanding of them,” said the 24-year-old.

“So I think this is a good sign for the team. That every girl is getting ready in her own way. That they have to do better and better. And the more they become responsible, the better they will get.”