Pakistan’s women’s cricket team has revealed its 15-member squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The selection committee, led by Saleem Jaffar, head coach Mark Coles, and captain Nida Dar, made strategic choices to include a blend of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners.
Left-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir and right-handed batter Shawaal Zulfiqar have earned their maiden call-ups following impressive displays in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and Emerging Women’s Teams Asia Cup. The young talents will be eager to make a mark on the international stage in the prestigious event scheduled from 19 to 26 September.
The squad also welcomes back experienced all-rounder Diana Baig, who has recovered from a finger injury sustained during the third One-Day International against Australia in January this year.
Pakistan’s women’s team, gold medalists in the 2010 Guangzhou and 2014 Incheon editions, aims for a remarkable hat-trick of victories in the T20 format tournament.
Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar expressed confidence in the selected players, emphasizing the squad’s adaptability to the venue conditions. The team, featuring in the quarter-finals scheduled from 22 to 24 September, will look to make their mark in the semi-finals on 25 September and the grand finale on 26 September. The match for the Bronze medal will also be held on Tuesday, 26 September.
Before competing in the Asian Games, the Pakistan women’s team will engage in a home series against South Africa, consisting of three T20Is and three ODIs, part of ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, in Karachi from 1 to 14 September. The squad for this bilateral series will be announced soon.
However, the team will miss the services of former captain Bismah Maroof due to the event’s rules and regulations, which prohibit athletes from bringing their children to the Games village.
Additionally, Ayesha Naseem, who previously featured in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, expressed her desire to retire from the game, a decision that the board accepted.
Head of Women Cricket, Tania Mallick, echoed excitement for the team’s participation in the Asian Games and highlighted the opportunity for the players to represent their country with pride. She conveyed best wishes to both Bismah Maroof and Ayesha Naseem for their respective situations.
Pakistan captain, Nida Dar, expressed immense pride and determination as the team aims for a historic third consecutive Gold in the Asian Games. Despite the absence of Bismah Maroof, Dar believes in the team’s strength and spirit to deliver exceptional performances.
The Pakistan women’s cricket team is all set to showcase their skills and compete against top Asian sides in Hangzhou, with the hope of making their nation proud on the international stage.
Squad: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Anoosha Nasir, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Nataliya Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Umm-e-Hani.
Player Support Staff: Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Mark Coles (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist).
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