Pakistan women’s team announced for Sri Lanka tour

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the ODI and T20 squads of the national women’s cricket team for the tour of Sri Lanka.

15-member squads have been selected for both formats, while several new players have also been included in the national team.

According to the announced squad, Fatima Sana will lead the national team in the ODI series, but in case of her unavailability, Muniba Ali will serve as captain in the T20 format. Fatima Sana will leave for England to participate in the Hundred tournament scheduled after the completion of the ODI series.

According to the PCB, significant changes have been made in the T20 team compared to the squad participating in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, 8 new players have been given a chance.

The squad includes Iman Naseer, Hamna Bilal, Maham Anis, Momina Riyat, Najiha Alvi, Shawal Zulfiqar, Um Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

This tour holds special significance for Iman Naseer, Maham Anis and Momina Riyat, as they will get the opportunity to represent Pakistan in a T20 International for the first time, while Maham Anis and Saira Jabeen are also looking forward to their debut in a One-Day International.

The ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship, with three ODI matches between the two teams to be played on July 23, 25 and 28, while the overall tour will continue from July 23 to August 4.

The national ODI squad includes Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Gul Feroza, Maham Anis, Momina Riyat, Muniba Ali, Najih Alvi, Nashra Sindhu, Sadaf Shams, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rabab, Umm Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

The T20 squad will be led by Muniba Ali, while other players include Ayesha Zafar, Iman Naseer, Iman Fatima, Hamna Bilal, Maham Anis, Momina Riyat, Najih Alvi, Nashra Sindhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rabab, Tuba Hassan, Umm Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

According to cricket experts, the tour of Sri Lanka will be an important opportunity for young players to showcase their talents, while the national team management is keen to perform better with the new combination.