Fatima Sana to Captain Pakistan in ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers
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Synopsis
Pakistan has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup qualifiers, led by Fatima Sana. The tournament will take place from April 9-19, with teams competing for a chance to qualify for the World Cup in India.
Key Takeaways
- Fatima Sana continues as captain.
- Shawaal Zulfiqar returns from injury.
- Nida Dar is a notable absentee.
- Six teams competing, including hosts Pakistan.
- Top two teams qualify for the World Cup.
Lahore, March 26 (NationPress) The host nation, Pakistan, has revealed a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup qualifiers on Wednesday, with fast-bowling all-rounder Fatima Sana, who captained Pakistan at last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, continuing her leadership role in the 50-over format.
Pakistan is hosting the six-team tournament from April 9-19 at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore, competing against five other nations for the last two spots in the 13th edition of the 50-over World Cup to be held later this year in India.
Shawaal Zulfiqar makes her return to the national squad after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during the New Zealand tour in December 2023. Notably, bowling all-rounder Nida Dar is absent from the lineup, having been part of the 19 players selected for the training camp preceding the qualifiers.
The six-team ICC qualifier features Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and West Indies, along with hosts Pakistan, competing in a single-league round-robin format. Each team will compete against the others once, and the top two teams will qualify for the Cricket World Cup in India.
The event will see 15 matches played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground, with Pakistan set to face Ireland in the opening match at the Gaddafi Stadium.
On April 11, Pakistan will go up against Scotland in a day match at the LCCA ground, while they will take on West Indies in a day-night match on April 14 at Gaddafi Stadium.
Pakistan's fourth fixture will be against Thailand on April 17 in a day-night match at Gaddafi Stadium, and their last group stage encounter will be against Bangladesh on April 19 at the LCCA ground, scheduled as a day match.
Pakistan women's squad: Fatima Sana (c), Najiha Alvi, Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sundhu, Muneeba Ali, Rameen Shamim, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Natalia Parvaiz, Sidra Nawaz
