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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the much-anticipated 15-member Women’s squad for the forthcoming home white-ball series against South Africa. The series, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs, is set to be a riveting clash between two formidable teams, with the ODIs being a part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
One of the most significant highlights of the squad announcement is the return of the seasoned campaigner, Diana Baig. After recovering from a finger injury that sidelined her for more than six months, Baig is set to make her comeback to the international arena. Her absence was felt since she sustained a finger injury during the third One-Day International against Australia in January of this year.
The reins of the team have been entrusted to the experienced all-rounder, Nida Dar, who will lead the side in the upcoming series. Dar’s leadership comes as she takes over from Bismah Maroof, who stepped down from the captaincy role following the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February.
New faces and old talents create a healthy combination
In addition to Baig’s return, the squad announcement brings attention to some notable inclusions and comebacks. Leg-spinner Syeda Aroob Shah, who last graced the field for Pakistan during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2020, is set to make her return to the T20I side after a hiatus of over three years.
Adding youthful energy to the mix, 18-year-old Shawaal Zulfiqar finds herself included in the squad for the white-ball series. Notably, she is also slated for participation in Pakistan’s lineup for the upcoming Asian Games in China.
The highly anticipated white-ball series is scheduled to kick off on September 01 with the T20I leg. Subsequently, the ODI segment of the series will commence on September 08. All matches are set to unfold at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
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Pakistan’s T20I squad:
Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani
Reserves – Anoosha Nasir, Omaima Sohail and Waheeda Akhtar
Pakistan’s ODI squad:
Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar
Reserves – Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz and Tuba Hassan
