Fatima Sana struck on the knee during training

Fatima Sana, the Pakistan captain, suffered an injury to her right knee after being hit by a straight shot from Ayesha Zafar in the nets on Saturday, leading to doubts over her availability for the team's opening encounter of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, against India, at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Fatima was hit on her follow-through and immediately collapsed on her tracks, wincing in pain. The physios and her teammates came around to help her out of the nets, and she watched most of the practise from the sidelines while icing her right knee. She didn't take any further part in the practice.

After 45 minutes, she was able to walk without any visible struggle and made her way to the main ground. Sana tried to play down the incident, and said. "It was just a normal hit of the ball. Ayesha baaji played the shot and hit me on the knee. I think it's good now. Hopefully (I'll be good tomorrow)."

Apart from being the lead pacer of the team, Sana has also been a prolific batter for the side. Since the last world cup, she has scored runs at a strike rate of 183.06, which includes a 15-ball half-century - the fastest in Women's T20Is apart from a 41-ball 90 against South Africa in Potchefstroom. She also played a leading role in the team's victory against South Africa in Benoni this February with her all-round performance (30-ball 47 & 2-12). Her fitness remains critical for Pakistan's chances in the World Cup.