Pakistan’s senior women’s cricket team for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, has been announced, rewarding outstanding performers and welcoming back a returning player. Left-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir and right-handed batter Shawaal Zulfiqar earned maiden call-ups due to their impressive displays in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and Emerging Women’s Teams Asia Cup. Diana Baig also makes a comeback after recovering from a finger injury sustained during an ODI against Australia.
The team, which has secured gold medals in the previous two editions of the Asian Games, aims for a hat-trick of victories in this year’s event scheduled from 19th to 26th September. The tournament will be played in the T20 format.
As per the ICC T20I rankings and tournament regulations, Pakistan’s women’s team will enter the event from the quarter-finals scheduled between 22nd and 24th September. The semi-finals are set for 25th September, while the final and the match for the bronze medal will take place on 26th September.
The final 15-member squad was carefully chosen after discussions among the women’s selection committee led by head coach Mark Coles, captain Nida Dar, and Saleem Jaffar.
Squad: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Anoosha Nasir, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Nataliya Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Umm-e-Hani.
Before the Asian Games, the Pakistan women’s team will engage in a home series against South Africa, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs, scheduled from 1st to 14th September in Karachi.
Former captain Bismah Maroof will miss the Asian Games due to the event’s rules and regulations that prevent athletes from bringing their children along. Additionally, Ayesha Naseem, who featured in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, expressed her desire to retire from the game, and the board accepted her decision.
Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar expressed confidence in the squad’s abilities, emphasizing the strategic approach taken in assembling a team that suits the tournament’s conditions.
Head of Women Cricket, Tania Mallick, shared the excitement of being part of the Asian Games and expressed pride in the players’ dedication and skills. She also acknowledged the team’s disappointment in missing Bismah Maroof’s services and wished Ayesha Naseem the best for her future.
Pakistan’s captain, Nida Dar, echoed the team’s sense of pride and determination, aiming to create more extraordinary moments in the Asian Games. She acknowledged the absence of Bismah Maroof and the team’s readiness to excel on the big stage with a talented and dedicated squad.
The player support staff includes Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Mark Coles (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach), and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist). The team is gearing up for the prestigious tournament, striving to etch their names in history once again and bring home the coveted Gold medal.
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