Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has heaped praise on Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, calling her performances “super cool” after the pair became teammates at Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
“Yeah, she’s probably changed her stance on what she thinks of me since she’s played with me,” Perry said while talking to a reporter. “But she’s been outstanding. Like, it’s so nice to have players from all around the world playing in these competitions. And the chance to play with them is awesome,” she added.
Perry, who has faced Sana on the international circuit several times, said that watching her up close as a teammate offered a different perspective.
“You know, I’ve played against Fatima a number of times. But, to see, I think, her all-round game today, and her really express that was super cool. And she hit the ball really well. She’s obviously great up front with the ball,” Perry said.
She also backed the 25-year-old to have a long future in the international game. “And, yeah, a star of her future. Like, you know, she’s got so much responsibility on her shoulders. I think she’s 25 years old. She’s got a long career ahead of her and she’s going to be a very good player for the international game.”
Sana has long regarded Perry as a childhood hero. She was reportedly too nervous to approach Perry when she first met her in 2023, but this year became the first Pakistani woman picked in The Hundred, joining Perry’s side Birmingham Phoenix.
The two ended up sharing the crease together during Phoenix’s final league game of the season against MI London, where Perry’s unbeaten half-century and a fifth-wicket stand with Sana helped the side close out a win at Edgbaston.
