Tag: Pakistan women’s team

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday unveiled the ODI and T20I squads of the Pakistan Women’s team for the upcoming tour to South Africa, which is scheduled to commence on 10 February in Potchefstroom.

Fatima Sana will continue to lead the side in both formats as Pakistan build towards the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in June.

Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, and Tasmia Rubab are part of both squads.

Meanwhile, uncapped batter Saira Jabeen and right-arm fast bowler Humna Bilal have earned their maiden T20I call-ups.

Opening batters Ayesha and Gull, along with left-arm pacer Tasmia and wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, have been called up to the 15-member ODI squad after missing out on the ODI World Cup selection.

Diana Baig, Najiha, Sadaf Shamas and Syeda Aroob Shah are just part of the 50-over squad, while Humna, Saira, Tuba Hassan and Eyman Fatima are in the T20I squad only.

During the tour, mentor Wahab Riaz will be assisted by a seasoned team of coaches, including Imran Farhat (batting coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), and Abdul Majeed (fielding coach).

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The pre-series training camp will commence on Sunday, 1 January at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre, Karachi.

The T20Is will be played in Potchefstroom, Benoni and Kimberley from 10 to 16 February, with all being day-night fixtures.

Pakistan will warm up for the ODI series with a 50-over game at Kimberley, followed by the three ODIs at Bloemfontein, Centurion and Durban from 22 February to 1 March.

The second ODI will begin in the afternoon and will also be played under lights, while the warm-up, first, and the third ODI will be day games.

Pakistan Women’s team is set to return to South Africa for a bilateral series after January 2021, when they took part in a three-match ODI series in Durban.

In February 2023, Pakistan took part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa and played their matches in Cape Town and Paarl.

Pakistan women’s T20I squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicket-keeper), Humna Bilal, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Tasmia Rubab, and Tuba Hassan

Pakistan women’s ODI squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Tasmia Rubab

Player support personnel: Wahab Riaz (mentor), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Moeen (strength & conditioning coach), Waleed Ahmad (performance analyst), Ayesha Ashar (Team manager), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Raza Rashid Kitchlew (media manager)

Pakistan Women’s tour of South Africa Schedule

• 1st T20I – 10 February – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (day/night)
• 2nd T20I – 13 February – Willowmoore Park, Benoni (day/night)
• 3rd T20I – 16 February – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day/night)
• 50-over warm-up match – 19 February – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day)
• 1st ODI – 22 February – Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein (day)
• 2nd ODI – 25 February – SuperSport Park, Centurion (day/night)
• 3rd ODI – 1 March – Kingsmead Stadium, Durban (day)

READ: PCB unveils schedule for Pakistan-Australia T20I series

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially parted ways with Muhammad Wasim, bringing an end to his tenure as head coach of the Women’s team following a disappointing World Cup 2025 campaign.

The development was confirmed by the board on Monday through an official press release, stating that the search for a new head coach is already underway.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the completion of Mohammad Wasim’s tenure as Head Coach of the Pakistan National Women’s Cricket Team,” the statement read.

“The process to appoint a new head coach is currently underway, and the announcement regarding his successor will be made in due course,” it added.

Wasim’s departure comes on the back of a winless World Cup run, where Pakistan finished at the bottom of the points table.

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The team lost four of their seven matches, while three fixtures were washed out due to rain.

Following the team’s early exit, speculation had been rife that the PCB was considering changes in the coaching setup to revamp the women’s cricket structure ahead of future assignments.

In its statement, the PCB reiterated its long-term commitment to developing the women’s game in the country.

“The PCB remains committed to strengthening women’s cricket in Pakistan and ensuring the team receives the best possible support to achieve continued success on the international stage,” the board said.

Notably, Muhammad Wasim was appointed as the women’s team head coach ahead of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup in June 2024.

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COLOMBO: Pakistan captain Fatima Sana admitted her side’s failure with the ball cost them dearly as they slumped to a crushing defeat against South Africa in their must-win ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 clash here on Tuesday.

The rain-hit encounter, which was reduced to 20 overs per side, saw Pakistan fall well short of the revised target of 234, finishing at 83 for 7, a result that all but ended their hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

Opting to bowl first, Pakistan’s previously consistent attack was dismantled by a ruthless South African batting lineup that piled up a record 312 for 9 in 40 overs, their highest-ever total in a Women’s World Cup match.

Speaking after the game, Fatima Sana didn’t shy away from admitting that it was Pakistan’s bowling that faltered under pressure.

“I think today is the day bowlers didn’t perform well. We have to accept it,” Fatima said. “They played very well, but we needed to be calmer in those situations.”

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The 23-year-old skipper pointed to the difficult post-rain conditions as a key factor behind her side’s struggle to find rhythm.

“After the rain, the ball was wet, and it was hard for the bowlers to grip. We tried to bowl on the stumps but couldn’t execute our plans,” she explained.

Despite acknowledging the bowling collapse, Fatima suggested the pitch remained good for batting, but Pakistan’s batters lacked belief in chasing the steep target.

“We lost early wickets and couldn’t build partnerships,” she said. “The pitch was fine, we just didn’t believe enough. Maybe some batters didn’t have that belief.”

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly been considering shaking the women’s team’s coaching setup amid their underwhelming performance in the ongoing World Cup 2025.

According to insiders, the board is considering a comprehensive overhaul of the women’s coaching staff following the team’s disappointing run in Sri Lanka, where they remain winless after five matches.

Head coach Mohammad Wasim is likely to be replaced after the tournament, with discussions already underway regarding potential candidates.

The PCB is also expected to appoint foreign strength and conditioning coaches to enhance the team’s physical and technical standards.

In addition, efforts are being made to expand the player pool and increase international exposure through more frequent overseas tours for both the senior and U19 women’s teams.

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Sources further indicated that the board aims to strengthen ties with other cricket boards to secure more opportunities for Pakistani women cricketers in foreign leagues, a move seen as vital for bridging the competitive gap at the global level.

Pakistan currently sit at the bottom of the Women’s World Cup points table with just two points from five matches.

Their only bright moment came in a rain-hit encounter against England, where they restricted the defending champions to 133-9 in a 31-over contest and made a promising start in reply before the match was washed out.

The Women in Green now face an uphill battle, needing victories in both of their remaining fixtures against South Africa and hosts Sri Lanka, along with favourable results from other matches, to keep their faint semifinal hopes alive.

READ: Shaheen Afridi replaces Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s ODI captain

COLOMBO: Pakistan were denied a shock victory over England when their ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 match was washed out as Colombo continued to be drenched by unrelenting monsoon showers on Wednesday.

Pakistan, rooted to the bottom of the points table and still searching for their first win in the eight-nation tournament, were left cursing their luck after putting England through the wringer with a brilliant bowling display that restricted the four-time champions to 133-9 in a game reduced to 31 overs.

Chasing a revised target of 113, Pakistan’s openers looked in fine touch, coasting to 34-0 in 6.4 overs, before the heavens opened once more and the game was abandoned at 9:58 pm local time.

Pakistan’s bowlers had their tails up from the outset, with captain Fatima Sana leading from the front.

She swung the ball into the batters and picked up three early wickets before returning after the rain break to snare another, finishing with eye-catching figures of 4-27.

“We showed today that we can beat any team. Disappointed about the rain. We were really good with the ball and the bat, and we would have been happy with a win,” Sana said.

It was the wicked inswinger that undid England’s top order, as four wickets tumbled to seamers, leaving the defending champions in dire straits at 39-4.

Diana Baig drew first blood by rattling Tammy Beaumont’s stumps, while Sana bowled Amy Jones through the gate with a brute of a delivery before removing Heather Knight and Nat Sciver-Brunt in quick succession with deliveries that jagged back sharply.

The spinners then tightened the screws, mopping up the middle order to ensure the seamers’ hard work didn’t go to waste.

Play was initially halted with England teetering at 79-7 after 25 overs.

When play resumed, Charlie Dean and Em Arlott offered some resistance, adding 47 runs for the eighth wicket.

England’s tail added 54 runs in six overs to give their bowlers something to bowl at, but Pakistan were well ahead when the skies opened again.

England had never lost to Pakistan in 16 previous ODIs and it needed bad weather to preserve that record.

It was the third rain-affected game in Colombo this World Cup after Australia and Sri Lanka split points without a ball bowled and Sri Lanka’s fixture against New Zealand also ended in a washout on Monday.

“Pakistan were top today and they never let us come back into the game. We fought back in the end, but we were not good enough. It was seaming quite a lot and we didn’t adapt well,” England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt said.

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LAHORE: Pakistan women have won the toss and decided to bat first against South Africa in the first ODI of the three-match series here at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday.

Playing XIs

Pakistan Women: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali (wk), Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Natalia Pervaiz, Sidra Nawaz, Rameen Shamim, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal.

South Africa Women: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Sune Luus, Marizanne Kapp, Annerie Dercksen, Miane Smit, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Nondumiso Shangase, Ayabonga Khaka, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune.

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HEAD TO HEAD RECORD

Pakistan and South Africa Women have clashed in a total of 28 matches. South Africa has the upper hand, winning 21 times, while Pakistan has secured only five victories.

The last encounter between the two teams took place on September 14, 2023, during the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 series at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, where Pakistan emerged triumphant, defeating South Africa by eight wickets.

Matches 28, South Africa 21, Pakistan 5, Tied 1, No Result 1

It’s worth noting that this series provides both sides with an opportunity to finalise preparations for the eight-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, set to take place from 30 September to 2 November in India and Sri Lanka.

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Members of the Pakistan women’s team and coaching staff have extended their heartfelt support and best wishes to the men’s side ahead of the high-voltage Asia Cup 2025 clash against India.

Head coach of the women’s team, Mohammad Wasim, expressed confidence in the Green Shirts, noting the positives from their recent tri-nation series.

“Pakistan played some really good cricket in the tri-series, and I am hopeful they will deliver against India as well,” he said. “We are eagerly waiting for this big game and wish the boys the very best.”

All-rounder Aliya Riaz encouraged the men’s team to play with spirit and pride.

“Best of luck to the boys’ team, play well and make the nation proud,” she said.

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Top-order batter Iram Fatima also shared her support and extended her best wishes.

“Our best wishes and prayers are with Pakistan. We hope the players perform well and come out on top,” she stated.

Meanwhile, experienced campaigner Natalia Pervaiz also echoed similar sentiments.

“We have full confidence that the Pakistan team will showcase their best cricket in this crucial match,” she said.

The hype surrounding the fixture is at its peak, with both sides entering the contest in strong form.

India bowled out hosts UAE for just 57 runs before racing to the target in 4.3 overs, while Pakistan posted 160-7 and dismissed Oman for 67 in 16.4 overs.

Catch Asia Cup 2025 news updates here!

In head-to-head T20I history, India hold the edge with 10 wins in 13 encounters.

Their last meeting in the format was during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in New York, where Rohit Sharma’s men prevailed in a tense, low-scoring contest against Babar Azam’s side.

Pakistan squad: Salman Agha (capt), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem.

India squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav, Sanju Samson (wk), Harshit Rana, Rinku Singh.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced women’s domestic contracts for 65 players, including 23 U19 & Emerging players for the season 2025-26.

The contracts, for the first time, have been categorised into Gold and Silver, with 20 and 45 players awarded, respectively. They will run from July 2025 to June 2026, during which a number of domestic and U19 tournaments are scheduled.

The monthly retainers have been awarded to not just the performers of previous domestic events but also those who have showcased promise and potential in their respective skillsets during this time.

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The Women’s National Selection Committee, comprising former Test Cricketer Asad Shafiq and former Pakistan Women’s International cricketer Batool Fatima, recommended the names of the 65 players.

Additionally, players outside of this pool can also stake a claim in the domestic contracts list by demonstrating their potential in upcoming domestic events and regional academy camps.

The PCB has conferred domestic contracts for the third consecutive season, maintaining its consistency in a bid to strengthen the player pool at the pathway and domestic level.

Women’s domestic contracts for 2025–26:

Gold contracts (20)

Anam Amin (Lahore), Anosha Nasir (Karachi), Ayesha Zafar (Lahore), Dua Majid (Lahore), Ghulam Fatima (Lahore), Gull Rukh (Dera Ghazi Khan), Hafsa Khalid (Karachi), Huraina Sajjad (Karachi), Iram Javed (Lahore), Kaynat Hafeez (Lahore), Mahnoor Aftab (Peshawar), Neelam Mushtaq (Lahore), Noreen Yaqoob (Lahore), Saima Malik (Quetta), Saira Jabeen (Chitral), Tania Saeed (Rawalpindi), Tasmia Rubab (Jhang), Yusra Amir (Karachi), Zaib-un-Nisa (Charsadda) and Zunash Abdul Sattar (Lahore)

Silver contracts (45)

Aleena Masood (Khanewal), Amber Kainat (Lahore), Areesha Noor (Lahore), Ayesha Bilal (Lahore), Fatima Khan (Lahore), Fatima Shahid (Lahore), Fatima Zahra (Rawalpindi), Humna Bilal (Rawalpindi), Khadija Chishti (Lahore), Laiba Mansoor (Rawalpindi), Maham Manzoor (Hyderabad), Momina Riasat (Abbottabad), Muqadas Bukhari (Okara), Neha Sharmin Nadeem (Karachi), Noor-ul-Iman (Bahawalpur), Rabia Rani (D.I Khan), Rida Aslam (Muzaffarabad), Saiqa Riaz (Lahore), Sana Urooj (Karachi), Shabnam Hayat (Karachi), Soha Fatima (Lahore) and Syeda Masooma Zahra (Karachi)

U19 and Emerging Players (All part of silver category)

Aleesa Mukhtiar (Bahawalpur), Aqsa Bibi (D.G Khan), Areesha Ansari (Sheikhupura), Barira Saif (Rawalpindi), Fizza Fiaz (Lahore), Haniah Ahmer (Karachi), Komal Khan (Lahore), Laiba Nasir (Lahore), Maham Anees (Islamabad), Mahnoor Zeb (Mardan), Malaika Suhani (Lahore), Manahil Rafiq (Faisalabad), Meerab Sheikh (Rawalpindi), Memoona Khalid (Faisalabad), Minahil Javaid (Lahore), Quratulain (Sialkot), Ravail Farhan (Lahore), Samiya Afsar (Lahore), Shahar Bano (Lodhran), Syeda Batool Fatima (Karachi), Tayyba Imdad (Abbottabad), Wasifa Hussain (Karachi) and Zoofishan Ayyaz (Wah Cantt)

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 set to take place from 30 September to 2 November.

The Women’s National Selection Committee announced that the same squad will also feature in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 16 to 22 September.

Uncapped right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland, is part of the ODI squad.

Fatima Sana, who represented Pakistan in the previous edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, will lead the side for the first time in the mega event.

23-year-old had previously captained the side in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier held in Lahore this year, where the team maintained a 100 per cent win record to secure qualification for this year’s World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan women’s cricket team will play all their group-stage matches at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.

Should Pakistan qualify for the 29 October semi-final and the 2 November final, then both the matches will take place in Colombo.

Natalia Parvaiz (8 ODIs, 24T20Is), Rameen Shamim (8 ODIs, 11 T20Is), Sadaf Shamas (15 ODIs, 12 T20Is), Sadia Iqbal (27 ODIs, 50 T20Is), Shawaal Zulfiqar (3 ODIs, 9 T20Is), and Syeda Aroob Shah (2 ODIs, 15 T20Is) are set to feature in their maiden ODI World Cup.

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Moreover, 21-year-old Aroob, 20-year-old Shawaal, and 20-year-old Eyman featured for Pakistan in the inaugural edition of the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup held in South Africa in January 2023.

Additionally, two changes have been made from the 15-member squad that featured in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier.

Eyman and Sadaf come into the squad in place of Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named in the five-member non-travelling reserves alongside Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

The 15 players alongside five reserve players will take part in a 14-day pre-South Africa series camp from Friday, 29 August.

The players under the coaching staff, led by Muhammad Wasim, will undergo practice sessions as well as 50-over practice matches.

More details regarding the camp will be announced in due course.

The South African women’s cricket team will arrive in Lahore on 12 September.

Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025

Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah

Non-traveling reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar

Player support personnel: Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Tahir Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Saad (fielding coach), Muhammad Rafi Ullah (media manager), Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist), Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse) and team doctor (tbc)

Pakistan v South Africa women series (all matches at GSL)

• 16 September – First ODI
• 19 September – Second ODI
• 22 September – Third ODI

Pakistan team fixtures in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 (All matches at R. Premadasa ICS, Colombo; All matches to begin at 3pm local time)

• 2 October – vs Bangladesh
• 5 October – vs India
• 8 October – vs Australia
• 15 October – vs England
• 18 October – vs New Zealand
• 21 October – vs South Africa
• 24 October – vs Sri Lanka

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LAHORE: Pakistan booked their spot in the upcoming ICC Women’s World Cup with a commanding 87-run win over Thailand in Lahore on Thursday, registering their third straight victory in the ongoing Qualifier.

Skipper Fatima Sana’s decision to bat first proved spot-on as Pakistan posted a solid 205/6 in their 50 overs, courtesy of standout knocks from Sidra Amin and the captain herself.

Sidra anchored the innings with a composed 80 off 105 balls, hitting nine boundaries, while Sana played the perfect finisher’s role with an unbeaten 62 off 59, featuring six fours and a six.

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The pair stitched together a crucial 97-run stand for the fifth wicket after Pakistan were reduced to 85/4, steadying the innings and setting up a defendable total.

For Thailand, Thipatcha Putthawong picked up two wickets, while Onnicha Kamchomphu and Nattaya Boochatham chipped in with one apiece.

In reply, Thailand continued their dismal run in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier as they faltered in the chase and were bowled out by Pakistan for just 118 in 34.4 overs.

Wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai was the top scorer with 19, while only five others managed to cross double figures.

Pakistan’s spin trio dominated proceedings, with Fatima Sana, Rameen Shamim, and Nashra Sandhu all bagging three wickets each. Sadia Iqbal added one to her tally as Pakistan wrapped up an emphatic win.

The result not only confirmed the qualification of Pakistan for the ICC Women’s World Cup with a game to spare, but also propelled them to the top of the Qualifier standings.

Pakistan women’s team overtook Bangladesh, who earlier suffered a narrow three-wicket loss to the West Indies. Having already sealed qualification, Pakistan will now take on Bangladesh on Saturday in their final group fixture.

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