"Fans will see a more attacking Pakistan team this time - Fatima Sana | ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

In addition to previous preview articles, we are making available for free editorial use one of the captains' columns in advance of the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. To assist with covering the tournament, the ICC Online Media Zone offers match reports, features, photos, media conference videos and transcripts, statistic packs, and a comprehensive media guide, just like in previous women's global tournaments. Kindly send an email to media@icc-cricket.com to gain access.

This year in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, we want to approach things a little differently and with more courage.

We have historically had difficulty in the powerplay because to early wicket losses, middle-order collapses, and a poor run rate that results in low totals. We've also had trouble pursuing targets that are higher than 120.

Now that we know, setting the tone and posting competitive scores requires positive intent, particularly in the powerplay. The best teams take full advantage of the opening six overs, which enables them to chase enormous totals and score large amounts of runs.

We've been trying to play more offensively lately, and there are several young players who have intriguing potential. The game has changed much since I debuted in it in 2019. Now that batters have more flexibility to play, scores are significantly higher, and as a club, we're adjusting to stay competitive.

Gull Feroza has played well this year, including some impressive innings in the Asia Cup. Top of the order player Muneeba Ali did brilliantly in the most recent series against South Africa. Both are in excellent shape and offer priceless pleasure.

They have been urged to strive for a strike rate of above 100, which is an important statistic that enables us to post larger totals and contend with the best. We have skilled players like Nida Dar, Sidra Amin, and Aliya Riaz in the middle order. I have also been putting a lot of effort into using my batting to infuse the squad with positive spirit.

Sadia Iqbal has been bowling exceptionally well over the past year. In the current ICC T20 rankings, she is placed #3, and Nashra Sandhu is among the top 10. The top wicket-taker in T20 cricket is Nida Dar, and we have two excellent leg-spinners: Tuba Hassan, who has been a vital member of the team since her debut, and Syeda Arooba Shah, who captained Pakistan U19 in the T20 World Cup. They both provide a lot of energy to the field, and in the conditions of Dubai, our powerful spin department will be essential.

Diana Baig's experience in fast-bowling will be very beneficial. As always, I'll try my hardest to contribute with the bat and the ball, while Tasmia Rubab, a left-arm seamer, adds some nice variety to the mix.

With this dynamic blend of youth and expertise, I'm eager to see how Pakistan can benefit from it all.

We had a great conditioning camp prior to our series against South Africa, and we carried a lot of momentum and confidence into the World Cup from our performances in that series. In the second game, we scored our highest-ever T20I total of 181 runs, demonstrating the effectiveness of our new strategy.

Even though we were disappointed by our Asia Cup loss to Sri Lanka, we will be driven to win our first World Cup group match against them.

In the last six T20 World Cups, Pakistan has emerged victorious in a single encounter. We're going to try to win as many as we can this time and see where that gets us. Although we have a formidable group that includes the defending champions Australia, we have recently defeated teams like India and New Zealand, and that gives us more confidence to compete against elite teams.

Giving it your all is necessary to play against elite teams, and it brings out the best in you. We are aware that during this World Cup, our supporters back home will be powerful. During the South Africa series in Multan, we had fantastic attendance and public attention, and we are aware that the country is behind us.

Insha'Allah, we anticipate an amazing T20 World Cup.