A cricketing extravaganza awaits Hong Kong, as they are set to host the inaugural edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Emerging Asia Cup in June this year. This tournament is directed towards providing women with adequate opportunities and exposure they could use to become seasoned players.
The tournament will see the likes of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Thailand who will be playing their ‘A’ squads along with the National sides of Hosts Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, and the UAE. The dimensions of the tournament are such that the teams are divided into two groups and the top two teams from each group qualify to the semi-finals.
Group A: India A, Pakistan A, Thailand A, Hong Kong
Group B: Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, UAE, Malaysia
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed its squad for the competition with Fatima Sana, a regular for the senior team, appointed as the captain of the 14-player contingent.
Pakistan’s Squad for ACC Emerging Women’s Asia Cup 2023
Fatima Sana (C), Anoosha Nasir, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Gulrukh, Lubna Behram, Najiha Alvi (Wk), Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sayeda Aroob Shah, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Yusra Amir
Reserves:
Amber Kainat, Dua Majid, Fatima Khan, Rameem Shamim
The team will set foot in Hong Kong with Mohsin Kamal as Head Coach, Muhammad Kamran Hussain as an assistant coach, and Aisha Jalil as the team manager.
At the age of 18, she made her debut for Pakistan. Over the years, she has improved and developed as a fast bowler. She has participated in T20 leagues all across the world and has represented Barmy Army at the FairBreak Invitational and Barbados Royals at the Women’s Caribbean Premier League.
Fatima Sana to captain Pakistan in emerging women’s T20 Asia Cup to be played in Hong Kong next month.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/xWf9YLhFXv
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) May 24, 2023
Fatima has taken 17 T20I wickets in the 23 games for the senior national side. Her economy has decreased from 9.75 to 4.85 over time, which is a significant performance improvement. Her combination of experience and rawness makes her an ideal choice for the captaincy.
This pack of Pakistanis will be well-prepared for the Emerging Asia Cup, thanks to the ongoing Pakistan Cup Women’s Tournament. Pakistan’s future stars – Eyman Fatima, Shawaal Zulfiqa, Anoosha Nasir, and Umme Hani, are among the best-run scorers and wicket-takers, these are just a few of many young players who have made a name for themselves in the team and performed admirably in the Pakistan Cup.
Players will have plenty of time to practice, pay attention, and connect with the seniors in the upcoming one-day event of the Pakistan Cup. Having played together as a team before the big Asia Cup, The Pakistan A side looks well-balanced and ready to roar on the big stage. Hong Kong awaits Fatima and Co. to spice up things on the 22-yard strip.
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