West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor wary of Pakistan’s spin bowling “challenge”

KARACHI: West Indies all-rounder Stafanie Taylor on Monday, acknowledged that the Pakistan women’s cricket team’s strength lies in their spin bowling but insisted that the visiting team is “experienced enough” to counter the challenge.

Taylor interacted with the media on the sideline of the West Indies training session ahead of the first ODI of the three-match series, scheduled to be played here at the National Bank Cricket Stadium on April 18.

The all-rounder accepted Pakistan’s spin bowling as a challenge but revealed that the touring side is trying not to think too much about it.

“It’s definitely a challenge [but] we’re not trying to think too much of it and trying to focus on each bowler at a time whenever we go out there and play.

“It’s not a case that we’re not experienced in playing spin and yes, they’re a team that’s actually full of spin bowlers.

“We know most of their spin bowlers, we’ve played against most of their spin bowlers so it’s not something that we’re not familiar with.”

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Stafanie Taylor then talked about her previous experience of visiting Pakistan in 2021 when the touring team whitewashed the home team 3-0 in the ODI series.

The all-rounder played a pivotal role in her side’s dominant triumph but is unfazed by the previous record, stating that is the past now.

“We were here the last time and we had a very good time. We came out on the better side of things, [but] that’s past and this series is a fresh one for both teams.

“We [are] hoping that we come out as the batter side.

For the unversed, West Indies will play a three-match ODI series, followed by five T20Is against Pakistan from April 18 to May 3.

All eight matches of the white-ball series between Pakistan and West Indies will be played at the National Bank Cricket Stadium here.

West Indies Squad for white-ball series

Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle (vc), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams, Kate Wilmott.

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Pakistan Women’s team kicks off training for West Indies series

KARACHI: Pakistan women’s cricket team on Tuesday, began their preparations for the upcoming home white-ball series against the West Indies, scheduled to commence on April 18.

According to the details, the 20-member Pakistan squad conducted a robust training session at Hanif Mohammad’s High-Performance Centre (HPC) here.

The national players were engaged in rigorous fielding drills and also participated in the net sessions.

The training camp will conclude on April 8.

West Indies are scheduled to arrive in Karachi on 14 April to feature in eight white-ball matches, including three ODIs, which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.

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The three ODI matches will be played at the National Bank Stadium (NBS) in Karachi on 18, 21 and 23 April.

The ODI series will be followed by five T20Is, to be played at the same venue, starting from 26 April.

The ODIs are set to begin at 330pm PKT, while the first ball in the T20Is will be bowled at 730pm PKT.

Pakistan Women’s Probable Squad for West Indies Series:

Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Gul Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Nida Dar, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar

Series schedule:

14 Apr – West Indies women’s team arrival in Karachi

18 Apr – First ODI at National Bank Stadium (NBS), Karachi (330pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)

21 Apr – Second ODI at NBS (330pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)

23 Apr – Third ODI at NBS (330pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)

26 Apr – First T20I at NBS (730pm local time)

28 Apr – Second T20I at NBS (730pm local time)

30 Apr – Third T20I at NBS (730pm local time)

2 May – Fourth T20I at NBS (730pm local time)

3 May – Fifth T20I at NBS (730pm local time)

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