Pakistan Announces Preliminary Squad for West Indies Series Ahead of T20 World Cup Preparations
Pakistan is set to host the West Indies for a three-match ODI series, forming part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship cycle, and a subsequent five-match T20I series in April and May.
The IWC series holds significant importance for the qualification of next year’s Women’s Cricket World Cup. The T20Is will also play a crucial role in the team’s preparations for this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 Standings
Noteworthy comebacks include Ayesha Zafar, Gul Feroza, Rameen Shamim, Sidra Nawaz, and Tuba Hassan.
Omaima Sohail and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who were part of the 17-member squad in Pakistan’s last bilateral series against New Zealand, are notably absent due to injury and recovery.
Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar stated, “The selection committee has chosen 20 probable players based on their performances in both domestic and international circuits. Ayesha Zafar, Gul Feroza, Rameen Shamim, Sidra Nawaz, and Tuba Hassan have been added to the probables camp following their performances in the last domestic event, as we aim to broaden our pool of players.”
“The upcoming series against West Indies, which includes ICC Women’s Championship matches, is of utmost importance as we strive to earn maximum points to strengthen our claim for direct qualification in the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup,” added Jaffar.
The final 15-member squad for the ODI leg will be announced by the selection committee in consultation with the captain and interim head-coach Mauhtashim Rashid during the camp in Karachi. The remaining five players will be released to participate in the domestic Women’s One-Day Tournament.
Pakistan Women Probable Squad:
Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Gul Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Nida Dar, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar