KARACHI (Kashmir English): Pakistan women’s football team is set to include more diaspora players in the squad ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in a move to strengthen the side, local media reported citing sources familiar with the selection process.
The decision reflects the management’s efforts to field a more competitive side in the upcoming tournament.
The diaspora players have professional experience in European, North American leagues.
AFC Women’s Asian Cup schedule
Pakistan has been placed in Group E of the qualifiers and will face Chinese Taipei on June 29, Indonesia July 2, and Kyrgyzstan on July 5.
The provisional squad has not yet been officially announced. As many as six new diaspora players are likely to join the squad.
British-Pakistani midfielder Layla Banaras, formerly of Birmingham City, and Mariam Mahmood, a striker for England’s West Bromwich Albion, are among the key inclusions.
Aqsa Mushtaq, who plays for Greek top-division side OFI Crete and has prior experience in Italy’s Serie A, is expected to bolster the attack.
The squad also includes Canada-based goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj (Northern Colorado Women’s FC/USA WPSL), who previously played in Portugal’s top league, along with England-based defenders Marsha Malik (Solihull Moors) and Azwa Chaudhry (West Ham United youth team).
According to source close to the team selection, bringing in players with competitive league experience abroad is part of the efforts to raise the team’s level before the qualifiers.
The Pakistan squad will organize training camp likely to begin in Islamabad on June 19, with captain Maria Khan leading the 22-player provisional squad.
Provisional Squad for camp
Alia Sadiq, Amina Hanif, Anmol Hira, Aqsa Mushtaq, Azwa Chaudhry, Isra Khan, Jennah Farooki, Layla Banaras, Maria Khan (Captain), Mariam Mahmood, Nadia Khan, Nisha Ashraf, Nizalia Siddiqui, Rameen Fareed, Sanah Mehdi, Sara Khan, Sophiya Qureshi, Suha Hirani, Zeeyana Jivraj, Zehmena Malik, Marsha Malik and Zufia Nazeer.
