Pakistan women are all set for their tour to Ireland for the tri-series in Belfast followed by the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The team is set to play a tri-series with hosts Ireland and Australia starting July 16, where they’ll play both nations twice and the top two sides will advance to the final.
The Pakistan team led by skipper Bismah Maroof and head coach David Hemp have been busy in their recently concluded training camp in Islamabad and Rawalpindi since the last nine days at the House of Northern and Pindi Cricket Stadium. The squad made the most of their time to practice and hone their T20 skills by including improvised drills, net sessions, and scenario-based matches.
In addition to the batting and bowling drills, the team also worked intensively on fielding and physical fitness under Hemp. The team’s preparations were hampered due to rain, but they continued to practice indoors at the Shahbaz Sharif Sports Complex. Maroof said, “Our preparations have suffered a bit due to the persistent rains as we could not play practice matches, we had to hence shift our focus to fitness more. We tried to make most of the indoor facility we were provided and that did come as a good help to the side amid the weather challenges.”
Maroof believes that the tri-series will help them to adjust to the weather conditions for the Commonwealth Games and believes that the young squad could put up an impressive performance in the global event.
“The tri-series in Ireland provides us a good opportunity to acclimatize to the conditions ahead of the Commonwealth Games. We have a good team combination with youngsters like Tuba Hassan, Ayesha Naseem, and Fatima Sana providing real energy, skill, and talent, they are the ones for the future and this tour is a real opportunity for them to make a big impression.”
Pakistan is grouped alongside world champions Australia, arch-rivals India, and Barbados in Pool A at the Commonwealth Games and take on Barbados in their first match on Friday, July 29 at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. Skipper Maroof is up for the tough challenge and is aiming for victory, “At the Commonwealth Games, we would take on the challenge of playing formidable opponents as to succeed there we need to beat the big teams, our aim would be to target a victory.” she added.
Pakistan squad for Ireland Tri-series and Commonwealth Games 2022
Bismah Maroof (captain), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza (wicketkeeper), Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan.
Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Sadaf Shamas and Umme Hani
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