Sadia Iqbal

Sadia Iqbal is a Pakistani cricketer who specializes as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. She holds the position of the world number 1 in the T20I bowling rankings as of 16 March 2026.

Early life and education

Sadia Iqbal was born on 5 August 1995. Her birthplace is recorded as Ghulam Muhammad Abad. She began her journey toward becoming a professional athlete in Pakistan.

Career

Iqbal entered the international arena in October 2019 when she joined the Pakistan squad for a series against Bangladesh. She made her Women's Twenty20 International debut on 26 October 2019, which took place against Bangladesh. Shortly after this appearance, she earned her first Women's One Day International cap on 2 November 2019. This match also occurred against the Bangladesh team.

Her participation in major global tournaments increased steadily over the following years. In January 2020, she traveled to Australia as part of the Pakistan squad for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. She later represented her country during the 2021 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe. In May 2022, she competed in the cricket tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games held in Birmingham, England.

The bowler remained a consistent selection for high-stakes competitions. She joined the squad for the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup in December 2022. During the 3rd ODI against New Zealand in December 2023, she bowled a Super Over. This performance helped Pakistan secure a One-over Eliminator victory. It marked the first time Pakistan won a women's ODI against New Zealand on New Zealand soil.

Iqbal continued her dominance through the mid-2020s. She was selected for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup squad. In October 2024, she reached the top of the T20I bowling rankings by overtaking Sophie Ecclestone. This achievement made her the first player from Pakistan to hold the title of top-ranked bowler in the world.

She participated in the 2025 Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier held at home in April 2025. In May 2025, she was crowned the No. 1 T20I bowler once again. During the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers in Lahore, she claimed 9 wickets at an average of 16. This specific performance helped ensure Pakistan's qualification for the tournament.

Awards and recognition

Sadia Iqbal has achieved several prestigious milestones in international cricket. She reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowler Rankings in July 2025. This ranking reaffirmed her status as a consistent performer on the global stage.

Her excellence was recognized during the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifiers. She earned a place in the official Team of the Tournament for that competition. These accolades highlight her impact as a specialist bowler.