Lahore (Web Desk): The Women’s National Selection Committee has announced a 15-player Pakistan squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, which will be held from 30 September to 2 November.
The same group of players will also participate in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 16 to 22 September.
Among the new faces is uncapped right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland and has now earned her maiden ODI call-up. Fast bowler Fatima Sana will lead the team in her first major global assignment as captain.
The 23-year-old previously captained the side during the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier earlier this year in Lahore, where Pakistan remained unbeaten to secure their spot in the upcoming world cup.
All of Pakistan’s group-stage matches in the World Cup will be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. If the team progresses to the semi-final on 29 October or the final on 2 November, both fixtures will also take place at the same venue.
Six players in the squad will be making their debut appearance in an ODI World Cup. These include Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Syeda Aroob Shah.
Furthermore, Aroob (21), Shawaal (20), and Eyman (20) were all part of Pakistan’s squad for the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup held in South Africa in January 2023.
Two changes have been made from the squad that featured in the World Cup Qualifiers earlier this year. Eyman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas have been included, replacing Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have now been moved to the list of non-traveling reserves. They join Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar to complete the five-member reserve group.
The 15 selected players, along with the reserves, will assemble for a 14-day training camp starting Friday, 29 August.
Under the supervision of head coach Muhammad Wasim and his support team, the squad will participate in intensive practice sessions and intra-squad 50-over matches. Additional details about the camp are expected to be shared soon.
South Africa’s women’s team is scheduled to land in Lahore on 12 September to prepare for the upcoming ODI series.
15-player squad:
Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah.
Reserve players:
Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.
Player support staff
Hina Munawar as manager, Muhammad Wasim as head coach, Junaid Khan and Tahir Khan as assistant bowling coaches, Abdul Saad as fielding coach, Muhammad Rafi Ullah as media manager, Muhammad Asfand Yar as strength and conditioning coach, Waleed Ahmed as analyst, Tehreem Sumbal as physiotherapist, Kiran Shahzadi as masseuse, while the team doctor is yet to be confirmed.
The ODI series against South Africa will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium with matches scheduled on 16, 19, and 22 September.
In the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Pakistan will begin their campaign on 2 October against Bangladesh.
They will then face India on October 5, Australia on October 8, England on October 15, New Zealand on October 18, South Africa on October 21, and Sri Lanka on October 24.
All matches will be held at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and are set to begin at 3 PM local time.