Lahore (Web Desk): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, set to take place in Lahore from April 9 to 19.
According to the PCB, Women’s National Selection Committee named the 15-member team following a thorough evaluation of players' fitness and performance during the ongoing preparation camp, which included warm-up matches and training sessions.
The six-team tournament, which will feature Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, the West Indies, and the host nation Pakistan, will follow a round-robin format.
Matches will be played at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium and the LCCA ground, in Lahore. The qualifiers are crucial, as they will determine which two teams will secure a spot in the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup in India later this year.
Pakistan will be competing at a neutral venue after India declined to play their matches in Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy earlier this year, resulting in the adoption of a "fusion" model for the event.
This will mark the women’s team’s first outing since October 2023, when they faced New Zealand in the Women’s T20 World Cup and suffered a 54-run defeat in their final group match.
Fatima Sana, who has captained Pakistan in six T20Is and two ODIs, will continue in the role for the 50-over competition. Shawaal Zulfiqar also makes her return to the national side following a shoulder injury that sidelined her during the December 2023 tour of New Zealand.
The squad will be eager to perform on home soil, with the goal of securing one of the two coveted World Cup spots.
Squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah.
Reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Waheeda Akhtar and Umm-e-Hani.
Player support personnel: Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Waseem (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach spin bowling), Abdul Saad (assistant coach fielding), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Muhammad Rafi Ullah (media manager), Muhammad Ramzan (strength and conditioning coach), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse).
Schedule for Pakistan matches
April 9: Pakistan vs Ireland at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Day)
April 11: Pakistan vs Scotland at the LCCA ground, Lahore (Day)
April 14: Pakistan vs West Indies at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Day/Night)
April 17: Pakistan vs Thailand at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (Day/Night)
April 19: Pakistan vs Bangladesh at LCCA ground, Lahore (Day)