Pakistan captain Fatima Sana (Pic credit: ICC) Pakistan women's captain Fatima Sana has been granted permission by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to miss the T20I leg of the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka in order to represent Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, marking a landmark moment in her career.

According to Cricinfo, the PCB has issued the 24-year-old all-rounder a No Objection Certificate (NOC), allowing her to prioritize the English franchise tournament while remaining available for Pakistan's ODI commitments.ODI duties first, The Hundred next Sana will continue to lead Pakistan in the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, with the fixtures carrying significant importance in the race for qualification through the ICC Women's Championship.

However, the scheduling overlap means she will miss Birmingham Phoenix's opening two matches in The Hundred, scheduled for July 24 and July 26, as the ODI series concludes on July 28 in Hambantota.After the final ODI, Sana is expected to travel directly to England and join Birmingham Phoenix ahead of their third fixture.

As a result, she will not feature in Pakistan's three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, which begins on July 31.

Watch Sitanshu Kotak backs Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, reveals India's long-term T20 World Cup plan Sana's signing with Birmingham Phoenix is a significant milestone for Pakistan women's cricket, as she becomes the first Pakistani woman cricketer to earn a contract in The Hundred.

She was picked by Birmingham Phoenix during The Hundred's wildcard draft on a minimum salary of £15,000, taking an overseas spot that became available after Lucy Hamilton was withdrawn by Cricket Australia.Birmingham Phoenix Women's 2026 Roster PlayerRoleSigning Status / CategoryEllyse Perry (C)All-rounderRetained (Overseas – Australia)Alice CapseyAll-rounderDirect Signing / RetainedLauren FilerBowlerDirect Signing / RetainedTammy BeaumontOpening BatterAcquired at AuctionLinsey SmithBowlerAcquired at AuctionAlana KingBowling All-rounderAcquired at Auction (Overseas – Australia)Emma LambAll-rounderAcquired at AuctionDavina PerrinTop-order BatterAcquired at AuctionCordelia GriffithTop-order BatterAcquired at AuctionEva GrayBowlerAcquired at AuctionPhoebe BrettBowlerAcquired at AuctionJemima SpenceWicketkeeper-BatterAcquired at AuctionEsmae MacGregorBowlerAcquired at AuctionAnnerie DercksenAll-rounderAcquired at Auction (Overseas – South Africa)Eve O'NeillBowlerAcquired at AuctionFatima SanaAll-rounderVitality Wildcard Draft (Overseas – Pakistan)Mary TaylorAll-rounderVitality Wildcard DraftLucy HamiltonAll-rounderWithdrawn (Overseas – Australia)