In a significant development, the newly-appointed seven-member women’s national selection committee has unveiled a 17-player Pakistan women’s squad for the upcoming tour to England, announced the country’s cricket board on Wednesday.
Nida Dar will retain her role as the captain of the squad, which is scheduled to participate in three Twenty20 Internationals from May 11-19, followed by three one-dayers from May 23-29.
The One-Day Internationals will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, marking Pakistan’s eighth and final series in the current event cycle. Currently ranked fifth, Pakistan aims to secure direct qualification to the next ICC Women’s World Cup by maintaining their position in the standings. A recent 3-0 series defeat against West Indies at home has heightened the significance of the upcoming matches.
Direct qualification for the 50-over showpiece is reserved for the top five teams from the championship, along with hosts India.
In addition to the six white-ball international encounters, the touring side will engage in two warm-up matches (one T20 and one One-Day) against ECB Development XI on May 9 and 21, respectively.
Preparations for their first England tour since 2016 are underway, with the national team set to depart for the UK on Sunday.
The squad comprises seasoned players such as Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, and Ayesha Zafar, alongside emerging talents like Fatima Sana and Nashra Sundhu.
Squad:
– Nida Dar (captain)
– Aliya Riaz
– Ayesha Zafar
– Diana Baig
– Fatima Sana
– Gull Feroza
– Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper)
– Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)
– Nashra Sundhu
– Natalia Parvaiz
– Rameen Shamim
– Sadaf Shamas
– Sadia Iqbal
– Sidra Amin
– Tuba Hassan
– Umm-e-Hani
– Waheeda Akhtar.
