LAHORE: The stage is set in South Africa as the Pakistan Women’s National Team prepares to face the hosts in a three-match T20I series, beginning on Tuesday (today).
This marks Pakistan’s first bilateral tour of South Africa since 2021, and anticipation is high as both sides look to fine-tune their squads ahead of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup later this year.
Pakistan’s 15-member squad will be led by Fatima Sana, who has embraced the challenge of captaincy with a “fearless cricket” philosophy. The squad includes two uncapped pacers, Humna Bilal and Tasmia Rubab, both braced for their T20I debuts. South Africa, meanwhile, will be captained by Laura Wolvaardt, one of the most consistent batters in the women’s game.
The series carries added significance as both teams are using it as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup, scheduled from June 12 to July 5 in England and Wales. Pakistan’s camp in Karachi focused on strength training, scenario-based matches, and batting against pace, preparing the squad for South Africa’s fast, bouncy tracks.
Historically, South Africa hold the upper hand in T20Is, with 24 matches played between the two sides. However, Pakistan will draw confidence from their 3-0 sweep in Karachi in 2023, a rare series win that showcased their ability to dominate a top-tier side.
15-member Pakistan squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicket- keeper), Humna Bilal, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.
