Karachi (Web Desk): Pakistan women cricket team will play the first of the three-match T20I series on Friday in National Bank Stadium.
Nida Dar, an all-rounder, is set to lead the Pakistan women’s cricket team for first time after being appointed as captain in April this year. Nida took up this responsibility after Bisma Maroof resigned from captaincy following the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
After, T20 series, Pakistan and South African teams will engage in three One-Day International (ODIs) from September 8 to 14, which are part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25.
The T20 matches are set to begin at 7:30 pm. The ODIs will commence at 3:30 pm.
Meanwhile, the trophy for the series of three T20 matches between the women's cricket teams of Pakistan and South Africa has been unveiled.
Talking to media on the occasion of unveiling of the trophy, Pakistan team captain Nida Dar said that “Every player in the team is important”. She further added that “We have worked on improving our intent to play an aggressive game, which is important given how the sport is changing now.
“Our team combination is really good and we want to ace this series against South Africa so that we go into the Asian Games with confidence on our backs,” Dar asserted.
Pakistan and South Africa have played a total of 15 T20s. South Africa won eight, while Pakistan won seven. The last time both sides featured in a T20 match was in Durban in 2021, where Pakistan defeated South Africa by eight runs.
Speaking on the occasion, the captain of South African women's team captain Laura Wolvaardt said “Pakistan is a good team and has some players who can turn the tide of the match. Good matches are expected in the series.”
It should be remembered that the South African women's cricket team under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt will play a series in Pakistan for the first time.
This series will open a busy cricket calendar for Pakistan, featuring 15 ODIs (as part of ICC Women's Championship 2022-25), 17 T20Is, and participation in the 19th Asian Games from September 1, 2023, to May 29, 2024.
Pakistan 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
South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker.
Series schedule:
vs South Africa (all matches at National Bank Stadium, Karachi)
27 Aug – South Africa team arrival
1 Sep – First T20I v South Africa
3 Sep – Second T20I v South Africa
5 Sep – Third T20I v South Africa
8 Sep – First ODI v South Africa
11 Sep – Second ODI v South Africa
14 Sep – Third ODI v South Africa