Key Addition: Fatima Back in Action, Set For Kiwi Challenge with Pak Women’s Team

News Desk

Islamabad: The Pakistan women’s cricket team has announced a 17-member squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand, set to include three T20Is in Dunedin and Queenstown from December 3–9, followed by three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs from December 12–18 in Queenstown and Christchurch.

The key inclusions are Omaima Sohail and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who have returned to the team. Omaima showcased an all-round performance for Pakistan-A, earning her place in the squad. Shawaal, an eighteen-year-old talent, impressed with her batting in the tri-series, earning her comeback after a promising debut against South Africa in September. Additionally, the return of right-arm fast bowler Fatima, recovered from injury, bolsters the team’s fast bowling department.

The squad includes:

Nida Dar (captain)
Aliya Riaz
Bismah Maroof
Diana Baig
Fatima Sana
Ghulam Fatima
Muneeba Ali (wk)
Najiha Alvi (wk)
Nashra Sundhu
Natalia Parvaiz
Omaima Sohail
Sadaf Shamas
Sadia Iqbal
Shawaal Zulfiqar
Sidra Amin
Umm-e-Hani
Waheeda Akhtar

The squad will undergo a four-day camp in Karachi at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre starting November 18 before departing for New Zealand on November 24 via Dubai.

Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar expressed confidence in the squad, emphasizing the strategic changes made considering the challenges faced by the batters in Bangladesh.

The selectors focused on strengthening the batting department with the inclusion of Omaima and Shawaal. Additionally, they aimed to bolster the fast bowling department with the return of Fatima Sana, anticipating the challenging conditions in New Zealand.

Series schedule:

3 Dec – 1st T20I, Dunedin
5 Dec – 2nd T20I, Dunedin
9 Dec – 3rd T20I, Queenstown
12 Dec – 1st ODI, Queenstown (ICC Women’s Championship)
15 Dec – 2nd ODI, Christchurch (ICC Women’s Championship)
18 Dec – 3rd ODI, Christchurch (ICC Women’s Championship)

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