Pakistan’s squad for the country’s upcoming series against Australia and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 has been announced by Asmavia Iqbal, the team’s chief selector.
27-year-old medium pace bowler, Diana Baig returns to the squad after missing out on the white ball series’ against the Irish. She was ruled out owing to a shoulder injury. Her return will bolster the Pakistani squad as she brings with her, an experience of 83 games in the international arena.
Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan are the other two players who return to the mix of things after recovering from their respective injuries. Three traveling reserves have also been named to help the side in case of injuries.
The squad which has been selected by Iqbal in consultation with the skipper, Maroof and interim head coach, Saleem Jaffer, is one that comprises of quite a few senior players and Iqbal on her part admitted that the experience factor was definitely a huge consideration. “We have relied more on the senior players in the formation of the squad for the World Cup and we expect them to use their experience on the field and get positive results for the team”, she said.
🇵🇰Pakistan T20I squad for Australia & ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa 2023 announced.#T20WorldCup #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/dRJ1tbBnpz
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 14, 2022
Squad for T20 World Cup 2023 and T20Is against Australia:
Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) & Tuba Hassan
Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz & Sadaf Shamas
Pakistan’s visit to Australia will also see the two sides engage in an ODI series which is of prime importance to the visitors who will be looking to directly qualify for the next 50 over World Cup. The tour comprises 3 ODIs and as many T20Is and it will commence on the 16th of January at the Gabba.
ODI Squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin & Sidra Nawaz (wk)
Reserves: Aimen Anwar, Javeria Khan & Tuba Hassan
The tour is slated to end on January 29 following which, all the focus will be on the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in which Pakistan is placed in group-2 which also features India, Ireland, West Indies and England. A training camp will also be held for the Pakistani contingent prior to the team’s departure for Australia.