Eager to Impress: Sadia Iqbal Gears Up for Her Maiden Tour with Pakistan Women’s Team in Bangladesh

The stage is set for Pakistan’s women’s cricket team as they gear up for a thrilling bilateral series in Bangladesh. Arriving in the bustling city of Chattogram, the team, captained by the dynamic all-rounder Nida Dar, has their sights set on making a mark in a series that spans three T20Is and three ODIs, taking place from 25 October to 10 November.

The action kicks off with the T20Is at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on 25, 27, and 29 October, before shifting to the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, for the ODIs. These ODIs also form a part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 and are scheduled for 4, 7, and 10 November.

Before the T20I series commences, the Pakistani women will square off against BCB XI in a T20 match, providing a valuable opportunity to adapt to the local conditions. This match will be held at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram, with the action starting at 2 pm local time.

Pakistan, currently ranked eighth in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, delivered a remarkable performance last month by whitewashing fifth-ranked South Africa at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. Eager to maintain this momentum, they now aim to replicate their success against Bangladesh, who hold the ninth position in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings.

One of the standout performers in Pakistan’s victorious T20I series against South Africa was the talented left-arm spinner, Sadia Iqbal. The 28-year-old cricketer made her presence felt by securing four crucial wickets at an impressive economy rate of 5.75 across the three matches. Her exceptional performance has also earned her the 10th spot in the ICC Women’s T20I bowlers’ rankings.

Sadia’s journey in international cricket began in 2019 when she made her T20I debut against Bangladesh in Lahore. In only her second T20I appearance, she showcased her potential by taking three wickets for just 19 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Now, Sadia Iqbal is poised to embark on her maiden bilateral series against Bangladesh, this time in the home territory of the opposition. In a conversation, Sadia expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming series, saying, “The training session today was all about adapting to the conditions here as soon as possible. We also have a T20 match tomorrow; it will help us to know how to bowl on the wickets here and provide an opportunity for us to fine-tune our skills and give our best in the upcoming T20I series.”

Acknowledging the challenges posed by the formidable Bangladesh team on their home turf, Sadia emphasized the mutual respect between the two sides. She also acknowledged the passion of cricket fans in Bangladesh and the eagerness of players from both teams to showcase their skills to the local crowd.

Reflecting on her recent success against South Africa, Sadia affirmed her commitment to contributing to her team’s success in Bangladesh, saying, “I had a good outing in the recent T20I series against South Africa, and I am looking forward to performing to the best of my capabilities, which will help my team win matches here.”

As the series unfolds, Sadia Iqbal’s journey is sure to be a captivating one to watch, and her contributions on the field may play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s quest for victory.

Pakistan Squad: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

Player Support Personnel: Nahida Khan (manager), Mauhtashim Rashid (interim head coach), Saleem Jaffar (bowling coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager), Rifat Asghar Gill (physiotherapist), and Zubair Ahmed (analyst).

Tour Schedule:

• 25 Oct: First T20I at ZACS, Chattogram (Match starts at 4:30 pm local time)
• 27 Oct: Second T20I at ZACS, Chattogram (Match starts at 4:30 pm local time)
• 29 Oct: Third T20I at ZACS, Chattogram (Match starts at 4:30 pm local time)
• 04 Nov: First ODI at SBNCS, Mirpur (Match starts at 9:30 am local time)
• 07 Nov: Second ODI at SBNCS, Mirpur (Match starts at 9:30 am local time)
• 10 Nov: Third ODI at SBNCS, Mirpur (Match starts at 9:30 am local time).