Fatima Sana's Perth Scorchers Move: A Dream Finally Realized

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-04

Pakistan women's T20I captain Fatima Sana has signed a one-year deal with the Perth Scorchers for the 2026-27 Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) season. The 24-year-old all-rounder will join the Australian franchise for WBBL 12, which kicks off on October 29, 2026. This is a big moment for her and for Pakistan cricket. Sana is set to make her debut for the Scorchers in their home opener against the Melbourne Renegades at the WACA Ground on October 31. Her arrival completes Perth's overseas player lineup as the club aims for the WBBL title after falling short in last year's final against the Hobart Hurricanes. ### Contract Details and Availability Fatima Sana will be available for the Scorchers' first eight matches of the campaign. She could stay longer if the Pakistan Cricket Board allows her to skip a national training camp. However, there's a potential scheduling conflict: Pakistan is slated to tour the West Indies in December 2026. Sana entered the WBBL overseas player draft in 2025 but went unpicked. She secured her first Big Bash deal through direct negotiations with the club, proving that persistence pays off. ### A Historic Milestone Sana becomes only the second Pakistani woman to sign for a WBBL club. Former Pakistan captain Nida Dar was the first, playing 11 matches for Sydney Thunder in WBBL 05 back in 2019. Now, Sana is set to make her own mark. She's also the latest in a growing list of Pakistani cricketers to feature in Australia, following six men's players who took part in BBL 15. Babar Azam, the former men's captain, played for Sydney Sixers last season alongside Shaheen Afridi, Muhammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, and Hassan Ali. ### Overseas Franchise Experience The Perth contract marks Sana's second overseas franchise stint of 2026. Earlier this year, Birmingham Phoenix drafted her as an overseas wildcard replacement for Australia's Lucy Hamilton in The Hundred. She received a £15,000 minimum salary contract (approximately $19,000 USD) and played six matches, becoming the first Pakistani woman to feature in the competition. She also played in the Women's Caribbean Premier League in 2022 and New Zealand's Super Smash in 2023. ### In Her Own Words Sana expressed immense joy after completing her move to the Western Australian club. > "I've watched the WBBL from Pakistan and always wondered what it would feel like to be part of this great competition," Sana said in an official Scorchers statement. "To now wear the Scorchers colours, represent such a great club and walk out at the WACA Ground in front of members and fans, while being cheered on by people back home, is incredibly special. This really is a dream come true." Perth Scorchers General Manager Kade Harvey welcomed the Pakistan skipper to the franchise. > "Fatima is one of the most exciting young allrounders in world cricket, and we're thrilled to welcome her to Perth Scorchers for the upcoming summer," Harvey stated. "A proven performer at the age of 24, we believe she fits our list profile really well and we're excited to see how Fatima executes on the WACA Ground wicket." ### Squad Structure for WBBL 12 Sana's arrival completes the three-player overseas contingent for Perth Scorchers in WBBL 12. She joins England all-rounder Freya Kemp and New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine in the squad. Both Kemp and Devine return to Perth after helping the team reach last season's WBBL final. The international trio joins established Australian national team stars Beth Mooney and Alana King in the Scorchers lineup. With Sana on board, the Scorchers have added a dynamic all-rounder who can change games with both bat and ball. Her experience in other leagues will be invaluable as Perth seeks their first WBBL title. Cricket fans in Australia and Pakistan will be watching closely to see if she can help deliver a championship.