The Pakistan Cricket Board released a statement detailing a 15 women player roster that will compete in a bilateral white-ball series against South Africa in September. Nida Dar will serve as the team’s captain.
The Proteas women’s series will be split between three Twenty20 Internationals and three One-Day Internationals, with the ODIs being a part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022–25.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to bring Syeda Aroob Shah and Natalia Parvaiz back into the fold in the T20I format. Their recent performances and improved fitness have been remarkable, and we believe they will bring a new dimension to the cricket team,” Saleem Jaffar, national women’s team’s chief selector, said announcing the squad.
He continued, citing Umm-e-Hani’s strong off-spin skills as the reason for her inclusion in both squads. “With the pitches in Karachi favoring spinners, we are confident that she will play a crucial role in our bowling attack.”
“To bolster our fast-bowling department, we have selected Waheeda Akhter in the ODI squad. With Diana Baig and Fatima Sana leading our pace attack, it’s essential to have cover for them,” he added.
The two fast bowlers have established themselves as essential players in ODI cricket, according to Jaffar, particularly in light of the deployment of two new balls.
The 18-year-old Shawaal Zulfiqar, who is also a member of Pakistan’s team for the Asian Games later this month, has been chosen by the selection committee to play in the three T20 International matches slated for the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from September 1 to 5.
Announced Women Squad For South Africa Tour
Three ODIs will be played at the same location on September 8, 11, and 14 as a follow-up to the T20I series.
Diana Baig, a right-arm fast bowler, will also return. After overcoming a finger injury that prevented her from playing for more than six months, she has been included in both squads. In the third One-Day International against Australia in January of this year, Baig suffered a finger injury.
Syeda Aroob Shah, a leg-spinner who last played for Pakistan in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, is also making a comeback to the T20I team after a lengthy absence.
Natalia Parvaiz, an all-rounder who last played for Pakistan in 2018, has returned to the T20I team and is also kept in the ODI squad as a reserve.
Najiha Alvi, a wicketkeeper and batsman who has never played in a T20I, is also on the 15-person team. Umm-e-Hani, an off-spinner who has played in one ODI, is also a member of the T20I team.
From the last T20I squad that competed in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Aimen Anwar, Javeria Khan, Ayesha Naseem (retired from international cricket), Sidra Nawaz, and Tuba Hassan were not included. In the shortest format, Omaima Sohail is a reserve.
Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar have been chosen for the ODI team in place of Ayesha Naseem and Kainat Imtiaz from the earlier in the year’s tour to Australia.
With five victories in nine games, the Pakistani women’s team is fourth in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022–25 points standings.
Pakistan will host Sri Lanka (2-1) and Ireland (3-0) at home in the ICC Women’s Championship at Karachi and Lahore, respectively, as this will be their third home series in the competition.
On August 27, South Africa will arrive in Karachi to begin their first-ever tour of Pakistan.
After competing in just one series of the tournament and winning all three of their matches against Ireland, which were played in June 2022, they are presently ranked ninth in the ICC Women’s tournament.
According to a PCB release, the team management and training camp schedule would be revealed in due course.
To read our blog on “South Africa’s women team affirm its 1st tour of Pakistan,” click here.
