Pakistan have announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup, with 20-year-old uncapped batter Eyman Fatima earning her first call-up. The same squad, led by all-rounder Fatima Sana, will also feature in the three-match home ODI series against South Africa starting September 16, which will serve as preparation for the World Cup beginning on September 30.
This will be the first time Fatima Sana captains Pakistan in an ODI World Cup. She previously led the side during the World Cup qualifiers held in Lahore earlier this year.
Eyman Fatima, who made her T20I debut earlier this month against Ireland, joins the squad alongside Sadaf Shamas. They replace Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who move to the non-traveling reserves list along with Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar. In her three T20Is so far, Eyman has batted twice, scoring 23 and 4.
The squad and reserve players will attend a 14-day training camp starting August 29 under the coaching staff led by Muhammad Wasim. South Africa are scheduled to arrive in Lahore on September 12 for the ODI series.
Pakistan will open their World Cup campaign on October 2 against Bangladesh and face India on October 5. All seven of Pakistan’s league matches, as well as a potential semi-final, will be played in Colombo. The second semi-final is set for Navi Mumbai, and the final will take place on November 2 in either Colombo or Navi Mumbai, depending on the finalists.
Pakistan Women’s Squad for ODI World Cup and South Africa ODIs
Fatima Sana (capt), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-capt), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Syeda Aroob Shah
Non-traveling reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar