S Africa series: Pakistan announces women’s cricket team squad

ISLAMABAD: Saleem Jaffar, the chief selector of Pakistan’s national women’s team, unveiled a 15-player squad for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa.

The series, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs, will feature ODIs as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.

Shawaal Zulfiqar, an 18-year-old player selected for next month’s Asian Games, finds a place in the T20I squad. The T20Is are scheduled at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from September 1 to 5. Subsequently, three ODIs will be played at the same venue on September 8, 11, and 14.

Diana Baig, a right-arm fast bowler, makes a return to both squads after recovering from a finger injury that sidelined her for over six months. She sustained the injury during a One-Day International against Australia in January.

The team will be led by seasoned all-rounder Nida Dar, who took over the captaincy from Bismah Maroof after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February.

The selection committee, headed by Saleem Jaffar and captain Nida Dar, finalized the squads. Leg-spinner Syeda Aroob Shah and all-rounder Natalia Parvaiz return to the T20I side after a hiatus, while uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi also joins. Off-spinner Umm-e-Hani, with one ODI appearance, is included in the T20I squad.

Notably, several players from the last T20I squad, including Aimen Anwar, Javeria Khan, Ayesha Naseem (retired), Sidra Nawaz, and Tuba Hassan, have been excluded. Omaima Sohail is listed as a reserve.

In the ODI squad, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar replace Ayesha Naseem and Kainat Imtiaz from the previous tour of Australia earlier this year.