BRISTOL
Pakistan batter Ayesha Zafar admits her team’s performance in the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup has been disappointing. With the squad still chasing their first win, Zafar says they did not play the brand of cricket they had planned for this tournament. However, she remains focused on the silver lining, noting that the experience has provided critical lessons for the team’s future, especially regarding their batting approach.
“It is definitely not the kind of cricket we wanted to display,” Zafar confessed during a pre-match interview. “But we have learned a lot, particularly by watching how players from other teams step up to the occasion and build their innings. That consistency is something we have been missing.”
Personally, Zafar is determined to improve. She acknowledged that she struggled to find her rhythm in most matches and is now committed to developing a more reliable approach to her batting. Beyond her work with the bat, she expressed a strong desire to contribute with the ball. Given the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket, she believes adding extra value as a bowler would significantly benefit her team.
Throughout the challenging campaign, Zafar has leaned on the mentorship of former captain Sana Mir. She described Mir as a “star” who provides constant support. Whether the team is feeling down or stuck on technical issues, Mir’s guidance has been a steadying force. As Pakistan faces the Netherlands, Zafar hopes to apply these hard-earned lessons to end their campaign on a positive note.
