Ayesha Zafar

Ayesha Zafar is a resilient and technically proficient right-handed opening batter who has been a valuable part of Pakistan's national cricket setup for over a decade. Hailing from Sialkot, she progressed through the domestic ranks, representing regional teams such as Karachi and Sindh, as well as institutions like the State Bank of Pakistan. Zafar made her international debut in October 2015, featuring in both ODI and T20I formats during a home series against the West Indies, and quickly established herself as a top-order batter capable of handling both pace and spin.

Throughout her international career, Zafar has been trusted with providing solid platforms at the top of the order, though her journey has required immense perseverance through periods of inconsistent team selection. She represented Pakistan women's national cricket team at major global events, including the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20 in the West Indies, and consistently added depth to the squad. While traditionally known as a steady accumulator in the 50-over format, she also provided captains with an occasional and clever right-arm leg-break option.

Into the new decade, opportunities became sporadic for Zafar, but 2026 marked a career-defining resurgence. During a bilateral tour of South Africa in February 2026, she displayed exceptional touch by producing an 81-run knock at Bloemfontein, followed by a fluent 75 at Centurion. Her purple patch reached historic heights in May 2026 during a home series against Zimbabwe in Karachi. Walking in at number three, Zafar blasted an unbeaten 102 off just 47 balls, becoming only the second Pakistani woman to score a T20I century.

Operating at the peak of her powers and seamlessly balancing her experience with modern, high-impact aggression, Zafar's performances set a dominant tone for the national side in the lead-up to the 2026 ICC Women's T20 World Cup.