Pakistan women spinners back team to shine in Asia Cup, Asian Games

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s cricket team spinners Nashra Sandhu and Tuba Hassan have expressed confidence in the side’s preparations for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup and Asian Games, saying consistency will be the key to turning strong performances into results.

Speaking during the team’s training camp in Lahore, Sandhu said the squad was preparing specifically for different opponents while working to improve every aspect of its game.

Pakistan’s spinners could have a particularly important role to play in the UAE, where the conditions are expected to suit slow bowling. Sandhu said the team was focused on adapting its plans according to opponents and match situations rather than relying on a single approach.

“We prepare according to every opponent,” Sandhu said, stressing the importance of maintaining consistency during crucial moments.

The spinner acknowledged that Pakistan have sometimes produced encouraging performances without being able to finish matches strongly. The team, she said, was working to address those lapses and build greater consistency in areas where it has already shown promise.

India matches, meanwhile, bring an added level of pressure. Sandhu said players prepare carefully for such contests because the team that handles pressure better on match day often gains the advantage.

Tuba Hassan also highlighted the importance of preparing for conditions in Dubai. According to the leg-spinner, Pakistani players are familiar with the UAE environment, but training specifically for those conditions remains essential before the tournament begins.

She said the team was concentrating on reducing mistakes, particularly because small errors can have a major impact in T20 cricket. Training sessions are being designed around different match situations, including pressure scenarios, to help players make better decisions when the stakes are high.

Tuba also revealed that coach Wahab Riaz has been challenging players with different situations during practice, aiming to prepare them for the demands of international matches.

The leg-spinner admitted that Pakistan still face a psychological hurdle when playing against top-ranked sides, despite having competed strongly against leading teams in the past. She argued that more bilateral series against the world’s top four teams would help Pakistan bridge the gap and develop greater confidence.

The experience of players competing abroad could also prove valuable. Tuba said Fatima Sana had shared lessons from her stint in The Hundred with teammates, offering the squad insight into playing at a high level overseas.

With the Asia Cup and Asian Games ahead, Pakistan’s women’s team will hope that improved preparation, greater consistency and exposure to elite opposition can translate into stronger results.

For the spinners, the message is clear: Pakistan have the ability to challenge the best — but now they must learn to finish the job.