Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team Unveils Squad for New Zealand Tour

Omaima Sohail, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Fatima Sana back in Pakistan’s 17-member squad for New Zealand tour.

In an eagerly awaited announcement, the national selection committee led by Saleem Jaffar unveiled the 17-member squad for the upcoming Pakistan women’s cricket team tour of New Zealand.

The team is gearing up for a series of high-stakes encounters, including three T20Is and three ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 ODIs.

Key Inclusions and Exclusions:

1. Return of Experience: Omaima Sohail and Shawaal Zulfiqar make a comeback to the squad. Omaima Sohail’s impressive all-round performance for Pakistan A in the recent T20 tri-nation series and bilateral series secured her spot. Meanwhile, Shawaal Zulfiqar, who made her international debut in September, earned her place after topping the batting charts in the tri-series.
2. Recovery and Reinforcement: Right-arm fast bowler Fatima Sana, who missed the previous series against Bangladesh due to injury, is set to bolster the team’s pace attack. The chief selector expressed hope that Sana’s experience and skill would prove invaluable, especially in the challenging conditions expected in New Zealand.
3. Strategic Changes: Iram Javed, part of the squad for the Bangladesh tour, has been excluded. The decision reflects the selection committee’s strategic changes aimed at addressing batting concerns faced during the Bangladesh series.

Training Camp and Departure:

The 17-member squad is scheduled to gather in Karachi on Saturday, 18th November, for a four-day training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre. The team is set to depart for New Zealand from Karachi via Dubai on the early hours of 24th November.

Chief Selector’s Insight:

Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar highlighted the strategic changes made in response to the batting challenges faced in Bangladesh. He emphasized the importance of reinforcing the fast bowling department, expressing confidence in the team’s preparedness for the conditions in New Zealand.

Squad and Support Personnel:

The squad comprises Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, and others. The support personnel include manager Nahida Khan, interim head coach Mauhtashim Rashid, and a team of coaches and support staff.

Series Schedule:

The tour will kick off with three T20Is in Dunedin and Queenstown from 3rd to 9th December, followed by three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs against New Zealand from 12th to 18th December in Queenstown and Christchurch.

Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the performances of the strengthened squad as they embark on this challenging tour, looking to make a mark on the international stage.

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