Pakistan Women’s Team Begins T20 World Cup Journey Today

News Desk

Lahore: The Pakistan Women’s cricket team is set to kick off its campaign in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a match against Sri Lanka Women at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 3 (Thursday).

The tournament, taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), features 10 teams competing over 18 days. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, while Group B comprises Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa, and the West Indies.

In a highly anticipated encounter, Pakistan will face arch-rivals India on October 6 (Sunday) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS). Following that, they will take on the defending champions, Australia, on October 11, and their final group match will be against New Zealand on October 14, both at the same venue.

The tournament format allows the top two teams from each group to qualify for the semi-finals, scheduled for October 17 and 18. The final match will be held on October 20 at the DICS, with the first ball expected to be bowled at 6 PM local time.

Ahead of the tournament, Pakistan played two warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh and participated in several practice sessions to adapt to the playing conditions. Captain Fatima Sana expressed confidence in her team’s preparations, stating, “We have prepared well for the mega event.

The series against South Africa at home helped us identify our strengths and allowed our batters to find form.”

She added that the two practice games provided valuable insight into the conditions and helped clarify the right player combinations for the tournament.

Pakistan’s 15-Member Squad for the Tournament:

• Fatima Sana (captain)

• Aliya Riaz

• Diana Baig

• Gull Feroza

• Iram Javed

• Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper)

• Nashra Sundhu

• Nida Dar

• Omaima Sohail

• Sadaf Shamas

• Sadia Iqbal

• Sidra Amin

• Syeda Aroob Shah

• Tasmia Rubab

• Tuba Hassan

Traveling Reserves:

• Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)

Non-Traveling Reserves:

• Rameen Shamim

• Umm-e-Hani

Player Support Personnel:

• Hina Munawar (manager)

• Muhammad Wasim (head coach)

• Junaid Khan (assistant coach – bowling)

• Hanif Malik (assistant coach – fielding)

• Abdul Rehman (spin bowling coach)

• Imran Khalil (strength and conditioning coach)

• Muhammad Rafiullah (media and digital manager)

• Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist)

• Waleed Ahmed (analyst)

Pakistan Fixtures in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024:

October 3: vs Sri Lanka (1900 PKT); Sharjah Cricket Stadium

October 6: vs India (1500 PKT); Dubai International Cricket Stadium

October 11: vs Australia (1900 PKT); Dubai International Cricket Stadium

October 14: vs New Zealand (1900 PKT); Dubai International Cricket Stadium