The Pakistan women’s cricket team is gearing up for the New Zealand tour with a revamped 17-member squad that includes the return of experienced players Fatima Sana, Omaima Sohail, and Shawaal Zulfiqar. The national selection committee, led by Saleem Jaffar, has carefully crafted the squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand.
Scheduled to commence from December 3rd, the tour encompasses three T20Is in Dunedin and Queenstown followed by three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs from December 12th in Queenstown and Christchurch.
Omaima Sohail’s inclusion follows her noteworthy all-round performance in Pakistan A’s recent T20 tri-nation series and home bilateral series, whereas young talent Shawaal Zulfiqar’s spectacular batting display in the tri-series secured her spot in the squad.
Recovering from an injury, right-arm fast bowler Fatima Sana marks her return after missing the Bangladesh series. Her experience is expected to fortify Pakistan’s bowling lineup for the challenging conditions in New Zealand.
The squad will be led by Nida Dar and comprises Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.
The team is set to assemble in Karachi on November 18th for a four-day camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre before departing for New Zealand on November 24th via Dubai.
Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar highlighted strategic changes made in the squad, emphasizing the focus on bolstering the batting department and strengthening the fast bowling lineup, keeping in view the conditions expected in New Zealand.
The schedule for the series comprises three T20Is in Dunedin and Queenstown on December 3rd, 5th, and 9th, followed by three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs in Queenstown and Christchurch on December 12th, 15th, and 18th.
Pakistan squad:
Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar
Player support personnel:
Nahida Khan (manager), Mauhtashim Rashid (interim head coach), Saleem Jaffar (bowling coach), Taufeeq Umar (batting coach), Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager), Rifat Asghar Gill (physiotherapist) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst)
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