Pakistan captain Fatima Sana is set to become the first Pakistani woman to play in The Hundred after being selected by Birmingham Phoenix.
Sana was overlooked during the tournament auction held in March. The Green Shirts' all-rounder was drafted into the squad on Thursday as a replacement for overseas player Lucy Hamilton, who withdrew after receiving a central contract from Australia.
The 24-year-old is currently representing Pakistan in the Women's T20 World Cup in England.
The Hundred, which begins in England on 21 July, had faced controversy following reports that Indian investment in the 100-ball competition could result in an unofficial exclusion of Pakistani players.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the eight franchises later issued a joint statement stating that players must not be excluded on the basis of nationality.
Those concerns were eased after Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq secured places in the men's competition. Sana's selection for the women's tournament marks another positive development for Pakistan cricket.
"Fatima Sana is a real statement of intent. She is Pakistan's captain, an international-class pace bowler and a brilliant replacement for Lucy Hamilton," Birmingham Phoenix Performance Director James Thomas said.
