Pakistan Name 15-Member Squad for Zimbabwe ODIs; Momina Riasat Gets First Call-Up

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Pakistan Name 15-Member Squad for Zimbabwe ODIs; Momina Riasat Gets First Call-Up

Synopsis

Pakistan Cricket Board has named a 15-member squad for the Women's ODI series against Zimbabwe starting May 3 in Karachi. The biggest talking point is Momina Riasat's maiden ODI call-up. With Pakistan sitting fifth in the ICC Women's Championship and Zimbabwe touring Pakistan for the first time ever, the stakes couldn't be higher.

Key Takeaways

Momina Riasat receives her maiden ODI call-up in Pakistan's 15-member Women's squad for the Zimbabwe series.
Fatima Sana will captain Pakistan, aiming to recover from 2-1 series defeats in both ODIs and T20Is against South Africa.
The series is part of the ICC Women's Championship 2025–2029 cycle; Pakistan currently sit fifth with two points .
This marks Zimbabwe's first-ever white-ball tour of Pakistan , a historic milestone for bilateral women's cricket.
All six matches — 3 ODIs (May 3, 6, 9) and 3 T20Is (May 12, 14, 15) — will be held at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi .
The full squad includes Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Sidra Amin, Nashra Sundhu, Muneeba Ali (wk) , and Najiha Alvi (wk) , among others.

Karachi, April 26 — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member Women's ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on May 3 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi. The series is a significant fixture within the ICC Women's Championship 2025–2029 cycle, making every point crucial for Pakistan's global ranking ambitions.

Momina Riasat Earns Historic First Call-Up

The standout headline from the squad announcement is the inclusion of Momina Riasat, who has received her maiden ODI call-up — a landmark moment in her cricketing career. Her selection signals the PCB's intent to blend youth with experience as Pakistan looks to rebuild confidence after a difficult recent run of results.

The squad retains a core of seasoned campaigners alongside fresh talent. Experienced names such as Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, and Sidra Amin provide stability, while wicketkeeping duties are shared between Muneeba Ali and Najiha Alvi. Bowlers Nashra Sundhu, Rameen Shamim, and Tasmia Rubab add depth to the attack.

Fatima Sana to Lead Pakistan's Redemption Bid

All-rounder Fatima Sana will captain the side, carrying the responsibility of reversing Pakistan's recent fortunes. The team suffered 2-1 defeats in both the ODI and T20I series during their tour of South Africa earlier this year — results that exposed vulnerabilities in both batting consistency and death bowling.

Pakistan currently sit fifth in the ICC Women's Championship standings with just two points, having secured only one series win — against South Africa — in the ongoing cycle. The Zimbabwe series, therefore, is not just a home fixture; it is a must-perform opportunity to climb the standings before tougher assignments arrive.

Zimbabwe's Historic First White-Ball Tour of Pakistan

This series carries additional historical weight: Zimbabwe are touring Pakistan for the first time ever for a white-ball series. The visitors are scheduled to arrive in Karachi in late April and will participate in a preparatory training camp before the matches begin. For Zimbabwe Women's cricket, this tour represents a growing international profile and a chance to earn valuable ICC Championship points of their own.

The bilateral engagement also reflects a broader trend of Pakistan increasingly hosting international cricket at home — a process that gained momentum after years of neutral-venue fixtures due to security concerns. Women's cricket being part of this homecoming is a notable development for the sport's growth in the country.

Full Match Schedule and Venue Details

All six matches — three ODIs and three T20Is — will be played at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi. The ODIs are scheduled for May 3, 6, and 9 in the afternoon, while the T20Is will follow on May 12, 14, and 15 in the evening. The back-to-back format gives both squads intensive competitive preparation ahead of upcoming global tournaments.

The T20I series, in particular, will serve as a vital fitness and form assessment for players eyeing spots in Pakistan's squad for future ICC events. Selectors will be watching closely, especially with the next ICC Women's T20 World Cup cycle building momentum.

Pakistan Women's Full ODI Squad for Zimbabwe Series

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Tasmia Rubab.

With Pakistan needing to accelerate their ICC Women's Championship points tally and Zimbabwe making history with their first white-ball tour of the country, the series promises competitive cricket with meaningful stakes for both nations heading into the next phase of the global women's cricket calendar.

Point of View

Selecting new faces against a relatively inexperienced Zimbabwe side, rather than against top-tier opposition, raises the question of whether this is genuine talent development or convenient confidence-building. The real test of the PCB's women's cricket vision will come when these players face Australia, England, or India in high-pressure Championship matches. For now, the Zimbabwe series is both an opportunity and a mirror — reflecting how seriously Pakistan's cricket establishment truly values its women's programme.
NationPress
1 May 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has earned a maiden ODI call-up in Pakistan's squad for the Zimbabwe series?
Momina Riasat has earned her maiden ODI call-up in Pakistan's 15-member Women's ODI squad for the Zimbabwe series. Her inclusion is the standout selection from the PCB's announcement for the series beginning May 3.
When does Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Women's ODI series start?
The Pakistan vs Zimbabwe Women's ODI series starts on May 3, 2025, in Karachi. The three ODIs are scheduled for May 3, 6, and 9 at the National Bank Stadium.
Who is captaining Pakistan Women's team against Zimbabwe?
All-rounder Fatima Sana will captain the Pakistan Women's team for the Zimbabwe ODI and T20I series. She previously led the side during the South Africa tour, where Pakistan suffered 2-1 defeats in both formats.
Where does Pakistan stand in the ICC Women's Championship 2025-2029?
Pakistan currently occupy fifth place in the ICC Women's Championship 2025–2029 standings with two points. They earned those points from a series win against South Africa earlier in 2025.
Is this Zimbabwe's first cricket tour of Pakistan?
Yes, this is Zimbabwe's first-ever white-ball tour of Pakistan. The Zimbabwe Women's team will arrive in Karachi in late April for a preparatory training camp before the ODI series begins on May 3.
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