Pakistan Announces Squad for World Cup

News Desk

Islamabad:  The national women’s selection committee on Monday announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place from September 30 to November 2 in India and Sri Lanka.

The same squad will also feature in the three-match ODI series against South Africa, set to be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from September 16 to 22, the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a press release.

Uncapped right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland, has been named in the ODI squad. All-rounder Fatima Sana, who represented Pakistan in the previous edition of the World Cup, will captain the side for the first time at a global event. The 23-year-old earlier led Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in Lahore this year, where the team secured qualification with an unbeaten record.

Pakistan will play all group-stage matches at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. The semifinal on October 29 and the final on November 2 will also be staged in Colombo, should Pakistan qualify.

Six players — Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar and Syeda Aroob Shah — are set to make their maiden ODI World Cup appearance. Notably, Aroob (21), Shawaal (20) and Eyman (20) had earlier represented Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa in January 2023.

Two changes have been made from the 15-member squad that competed in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier. Eyman and Sadaf replace Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named among the five non-travelling reserves, alongside Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

The selected squad and reserves will participate in a 14-day pre-series training camp from August 29, featuring practice sessions and 50-over practice matches under the supervision of head coach Muhammad Wasim and his support staff.

South Africa’s women’s team is due to arrive in Lahore on September 12 for the ODI series.