The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, set to take place in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, from July 19 to 28. Led by Nida Dar, the squad features a mix of experienced players and promising newcomers, aiming to make a significant impact in the tournament.
The selectors have made some notable changes from the squad that toured England last month, excluding Ayesha Zafar, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar. Instead, they have recalled Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, and Syeda Aroob Shah, who bring valuable experience to the team. Iram Javed last played a T20I in October 2023 against Bangladesh, Omaima Sohail’s last appearance was against New Zealand in December 2023, and Syeda Aroob Shah’s most recent T20I was against South Africa in September 2023.
A new addition to the squad is Tasmia Rubab, a 22-year-old left-arm fast bowler who has yet to make her international debut. Tasmia has shown promise in domestic competitions, representing Multan in the National Women’s One-Day Tournament 2023-24, where she scored 86 runs and took 12 wickets. She also impressed in the National Women T20 Tournament 2023-24 with four wickets at an economy rate of 6.36.
The training camp for the national team will commence in Karachi on July 5 and continue until their departure for Sri Lanka on July 16. Head coach Muhammad Wasim will supervise the camp, supported by spin bowling coach Abdur Rehman, assistant coach Junaid Khan (bowling), and assistant coach Hanif Malik (fielding). The team management includes Hina Munawar as the manager, Rabia Siddiq as the physiotherapist, and Waleed Ahmed as the analyst.
In the tournament, Pakistan is placed in Group ‘A’ alongside India, Nepal, and UAE. Group ‘B’ consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on July 26. Pakistan will face arch-rivals India on the opening day of the tournament, July 19, followed by matches against Nepal on July 21 and UAE on July 23.
The squad for the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup includes:
- Nida Dar (c)
- Aliya Riaz
- Diana Baig
- Fatima Sana
- Gull Feroza
- Iram Javed
- Muneeba Ali
- Najiha Alvi
- Nashra Sundhu
- Omaima Sohail
- Sadia Iqbal
- Sidra Amin
- Syeda Aroob Shah
- Tasmia Rubab
- Tuba Hassan
Captain Nida Dar brings leadership and all-round capabilities, while players like Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, and Fatima Sana provide depth in both batting and bowling. Muneeba Ali and Sidra Amin are expected to anchor the batting lineup, with Nashra Sundhu and Tuba Hassan adding strength to the spin department. The inclusion of Syeda Aroob Shah and Iram Javed aims to bolster the middle order and offer strategic options.
The ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup serves as a crucial platform for the Pakistani team to showcase their talent and prepare for future international assignments. The combination of experienced players and emerging talent aims to create a balanced squad capable of competing at the highest level.
The PCB’s focus on a comprehensive training camp reflects their commitment to ensuring the team is well-prepared for the challenges ahead. With the coaching staff’s expertise and the players’ determination, Pakistan aims to make a strong statement in the tournament, starting with their much-anticipated clash against India.
This announcement underscores Pakistan’s strategic approach in nurturing women’s cricket and providing opportunities for players to excel on the international stage. The squad’s composition and the rigorous training camp set the stage for an exciting and competitive ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup campaign.
