Although Pakistan Women started the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 strongly with a 31-run win against Sri Lanka Women, they have suffered a big injury scare. During the second innings of the match, the 28-year-old right-arm medium bowler Diana Baig sustained an injury.

After Pakistan Women set a 117-run target at Sharjah, Diana Baig took the new ball. Baig suffered an injury while running to bowl her second ball of the match, which the left-handed Sri Lankan opener and captain Chamari Athapaththu was facing. 

Baig immediately called physio. It was not looking good. She got an injury on her right calf, which was already strapped up heavily. Even after getting treatment, Baig wasn’t comfortable and ultimately left the ground with teary eyes.  

From the commentary box, the former England captain Nasser Hussain also feared a calf injury.

Ultimately, the Pakistan captain Fatima Sana completed that over by delivering five remaining balls in that opening over of the second innings. 

Diana Baig also missed the previous T20 WC due to an injury

During the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, which was played in South Africa in February 2023, Baig was initially in the Pakistan team but was ruled out before the tournament due to a fractured finger.

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Captain Fatima Sana was the hero in Pakistan's strong victory

Despite struggling at 84/8, Pakistan captain Fatima Sana scored a brave 30-run knock in 20 balls with the help of three fours and one six. Nida Dar was the only other batter in that innings to reach the 20-run mark as Pakistan ultimately scored 116 in 20 overs.

In that innings, Udeshika Prabodhani (3/20), Sugandika Kumari (3/19), and Chamari Athapaththu (3/18) took three wickets each. 

In reply, Sri Lanka scored only 85/9 in 20 overs. Only the opener Vishmi Gunaratne (20) and the no.6 batter Nilakshika Silva (22) reached double-digit scores in that innings. While four Pakistan bowlers took at least two wickets in that 31-run win, skipper Fatima Sana was one of them (2/10). 

So, without a doubt, the Pakistan Women’s captain won the Player of the Match award.