Nida Dar Out of Third ODI Against New Zealand Due to Concussion

Pakistan women’s cricket team will be without their regular skipper, Nida Dar, for the upcoming third ODI against New Zealand, set to be held at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday, 18th December. The veteran cricketer sustained an injury after being struck on her face during the first ODI at John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Monday, 11 December. Her absence from the second ODI was a result of the subsequent symptoms of concussion.

While Nida has shown signs of improvement following a thorough assessment by the team’s medical staff, she still requires additional recovery time as advised by the doctors. Consequently, she will not participate in the final game of the tour to ensure her complete recuperation.

Stepping up in Nida Dar’s absence, Fatima Sana, the emerging talent who recently earned the ICC and PCB Emerging Cricketer of the Year accolade, will continue to lead the team. In the previous ODI, Fatima displayed exceptional performance, scoring an unbeaten 90 runs and also securing two wickets while captaining the side.

Expressing her disappointment over missing the final match, Nida remarked, “I am disappointed to not be available for the final game. The way the girls have performed on the New Zealand tour is incredible, and I am really proud of each and every member of the team.”

Acknowledging Fatima Sana’s remarkable leadership, Nida added, “Fatima Sana has shown great maturity in her captaincy by leading from the front in the last game and taking the side close to a win, which was exceptional.”

Despite losing the ODI series, Nida Dar expressed confidence in the team’s fighting spirit, saying, “Even though we have lost the ODI series, the way girls have fought on the ground and shown character is great to see. I am sure they will continue to show the same spirit in the third ODI and will end the tour on the winning note.”

The 14-member Pakistan squad for the third ODI includes several key players such as Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, and Natalia Parvaiz, aiming to put up a strong performance and finish the tour on a high note under the leadership of Fatima Sana.