Pakistan Women's team and Babar Azam [Source: AFP]The Pakistan women's team have made an unusual move to prepare for the upcoming Women's Asia Cup 2026. The Asia Cup is set to be played from August 28, and ahead of the tournament, the Women in Green have done something that is not usually seen in international or domestic cricket. The Pakistan women's team played a T20 match against a men's team at home to prepare for the upcoming challenge that has kept them away from the final for more than a decade.Pakistan Women Face Men's Team Ahead of Women's Asia Cup ChallengeThe Fatima Sana-led team played T20 matches against a men's side in Pakistan before travelling to Dubai for the continental tournament. The side played two T20 matches against the men's team of the Abdul Qadir Cricket Academy, which featured both teenage and senior players, during their pre-tournament camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.More importantly, the matches were played under full T20 rules and were not just simulation or scenario-based practice games. These matches exposed the players to greater pressure and helped the team improve their decision-making in crucial moments against a tougher opponent. This leads to the question as in why did Fatima Sana and her team take the step of playing against a men's team?Also Read- Pakistan's Asia Cup Squad Announced, Wahab Riaz RetainedWhy Did Pakistan Women Prepare Against the Men's Team?Fatima Sana herself explained the reason for facing the men's team ahead of the Women's Asia Cup 2026. According to her, the matches helped the team prepare for the challenges ahead by putting them under pressure, and the lessons they learned will now be vital for Pakistan's women's team as they face opposition from across Asia.“We are well prepared for the tournament,” Fatima said. “We have played competitive matches against boys in which we were put under pressure. These learnings will help us adapt to the challenges of the competition.”“We needed to understand how to handle the pressure better, and that is something which is highlighted whenever there is a big tournament. These matches have helped us on that front, and the difference will be visible," Sana said.“It is very important to stay calm in pressure situations rather than pressing the panic button. We have told the girls to stay calm in the crunch moments, stay in control, trust their hard work and execute the plans,” Sana added.How Have Pakistan Women Fared in the Asia Cup So Far?Pakistan's preparations can be justified, as the team have been working hard for a competition they have never won. They reached the final in the 2012 and 2016 editions but lost to arch-rivals India on both occasions. They were also eliminated by Sri Lanka in the semi-final of the last edition. The women's team will therefore be determined to secure a place in the final this time around.This will be the first time Fatima Sana leads the team in the Asia Cup. The last time, Nida Dar led the side in 2024, when Pakistan women won only two of their four matches in the group stage before being eliminated. 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Although Pakistan have reached the tournament semi-finals three times, they have managed to progress to the final on only two occasions.Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India. They will begin their Women's Asia Cup 2026 campaign against Thailand on September 1 and will face India on September 5 in the marquee women's clash.Also Read- ETPL 2026 Schedule, Teams, Squads, Live Streaming, Live Telecast In India, Venues
