Pakistan women’s ODI and T20I squads are currently undergoing a five-day pre-series camp at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore ahead of the Ireland assignment. In the camp, the players also featured in an intra-squad match at the LCCA Ground on Thursday, which was won by Nida Dar’s Pakistan Blues.

Ireland women’s team, embarking on their maiden tour to Pakistan, is due to arrive in Lahore in the wee hours on Sunday. During the tour, both sides will feature in six limited-overs matches – three ODIs, part of the ICC Women’s Championship, and three T20Is from 4 to 16 November at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

While Pakistan will be without their fast bowler Diana Baig – ruled out of the series due to shoulder injury – their pace bowling will be boosted with the return of Fatima Sana. The 20-year-old pacer has regained her fitness after missing out in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup due to an ankle injury sustained during the Women’s Caribbean Premier League while representing Barbados Royals.

While talking at the sidelines of the camp, Fatima said, “It was great to see the team’s momentum in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup. The way we defeated India helped me gain confidence when I joined the squad for the pre-series camp against Ireland.

“It is great to see Ireland coming here for the first time, we will try to keep our winning momentum going in the forthcoming series as well.”

Fatima, who made her debut in the 2019 series against South Africa in South Africa, has till date featured in 25 ODIs, taking 36 wickets, with five for 39 her best match figures, which came against West Indies in Antigua in 2019. In 15 T20Is, she has 12 dismissals to her name, with three for 27 her career-best.

Commenting on her bowling partnership with Diana, Fatima responded, “I have a good combination with Danny (Diana Baig). The side will surely miss Diana, but we have other fast bowlers in the side which are good enough to challenge the Irish side.”

Fatima, who has the distinction of winning PCB Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award in 2020 and ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year award in 2021, has urged fans to come to the stadium and show their support for the Pakistan team. She said: “We have seen a good crowd in Karachi against Sri Lanka, we hope to see a similar crowd flocking the stadium and supporting us in the series against Ireland.”

Sharing her thoughts on the significance of playing at home, Fatima stated, “When I was a net bowler, I always used to wonder when I will get an opportunity to play and represent my country. My message to young U19 and emerging players will be to come out and support your team and witness themselves as how overseas players approach the game.”

Series Itinerary

4 November – First ODI
6 November – Second ODI
9 November – Third ODI
12 November – First T20I
14 November – Second T20I
16 November – Third T20I