In a bustling London setting, Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana took the opportunity to thank the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its work in expanding women’s cricket in the country. Speaking during the Captains’ Carnival on Sunday, Sana said that a strong performance in the upcoming tournament would spark greater domestic support and highlighted the ICC’s initiatives that have raised the sport’s visibility across Pakistan. She also noted that Pakistan has been granted the right to host the next Women’s T20 World Cup, calling the decision "good for the game."

The Captains’ Carnival, held in London before the opening match on 12 June, brought together the 12 national team captains to discuss the 10th edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. The event served as a pre‑tournament gathering where captains shared perspectives on the competition and the state of women’s cricket worldwide.

Pakistan is placed in Group 1, which also contains Australia, South Africa, India, Bangladesh and the Netherlands. The Netherlands are making their debut in a Women’s T20 World Cup, and their captain Babette De Leede said the team hopes to inspire girls back home. Bangladesh’s captain Nigar Sultana Joty said the tournament offers a chance to further the growth of women’s cricket in Bangladesh, noting the sport’s rapid rise in the country.

South Africa’s skipper Laura Wolvaardt highlighted the return of fast bowlers Shabnim Ismail and Dane van Niekerk, who bring experience and leadership. She said their presence could help the team progress further in the tournament. India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur recalled last year’s World Cup victory and its impact on the popularity of cricket for women in India, stressing that strong performances could bring further change.

Australia’s captain Sophie Molineux acknowledged that while the team has won the tournament six times, there will be multiple contenders. She pointed to New Zealand, the 2024 champions, as a strong opponent, noting that New Zealand’s recent warm‑up match against Bangladesh yielded a score of over 200 runs.

Ireland’s captain Gaby Lewis expressed confidence that the team’s recent progress would allow them to compete with the world’s best and aimed for a historic first win at a T20 World Cup. Scotland’s captain Kathryn Bryce said expectations have risen following recent successes and that the team is ready to meet the challenge.

New Zealand’s captain Melie Kerr said that defending the title is a different experience from the 2022 tournament, but the team’s belief in its ability to win remains strong. Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu described her squad as a young fast‑bowling attack with good batters in form, urging the team to play fearless cricket in England’s conditions.

West Indies’ former captain Hayley Matthews, who was named Player of the Match in the 2016 final, noted that the game has evolved and that the current tournament will see new records broken. England’s captain Nat Sciver‑Brunt said hosting the World Cup is a perfect time for women’s sport in England, but acknowledged the pressure of being the host nation. She added that the opening match will be played at Edgbaston on 12 June against Sri Lanka.

The tournament will run from 12 June to 25 June, with the final scheduled for 25 June at Lord’s. Pakistan’s journey will begin in Group 1 matches, and the team will look to build momentum from the Captains’ Carnival discussions. The Captains’ Carnival set the tone for the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, with captains from all 12 nations expressing optimism, highlighting key players, and outlining expectations for a competitive tournament that will culminate in a final at Lord’s.