LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers scheduled to take place from April 9 in Lahore.
PCB made the announcement in a press release. The six-nation ICC event will continue until April 19 and decide the two qualifiers for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 to be held in India later this year.
Six teams including hosts Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Ireland, Scotland, and West Indies will feature in the single-league round-robin format with the matches taking place at two Lahore venues; Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA ground.
Women’s World Cup 2025
As this year’s Women’s World Cup will be played in India, Pakistan will be playing their matches at a neutral venue after a “fusion” model was decided upon following India’s refusal to play its matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year.
The World Cup tournament will be the first outing for the Green Shirts since October last year, when they played New Zealand in their last group match in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
The PCB announced the squad after the selection committee evaluated players’ fitness and form in the ongoing second phase of preparation camp, where the players took part in warm-up matches and practice sessions.
Sana, who has led the country in six T20Is and two ODIs, will continue to lead the national women’s cricket team in the 50-over event.
Meanwhile, Shawaal Zulfiqar has made a comeback to the national team after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Pakistan will play Scotland at the LCCA ground in a day game on April 11, while the hosts will take on West Indies in a day-night game at the Gaddafi Stadium on April 14, according to PCB.
Pakistan will face Thailand in event’s fourth fixture on April 17 in a day-night game at Gaddafi Stadium, while they will play their final group stage match against Bangladesh on April 19 at the LCCA ground, which will be a day match.
Pakistan fixtures for day matches will begin at 9:30am and day/night matches at 2pm, the PCB added.
Squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah.
Reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Waheeda Akhtar and Umm-e-Hani.
Schedule for Pakistan matches
April 9
Pakistan vs Ireland at Gaddafi Stadium (Day match)
April 11
Pakistan vs Scotland at the LCCA ground (Day match)
April 14
Pakistan vs West Indies at Gaddafi Stadium (Day/Night)
April 17
Pakistan vs Thailand at Gaddafi Stadium (Day/Night)
April 19
Pakistan vs Bangladesh at LCCA ground (Day match)
