Anoosha Nasir, left-arm spinner, and Shawaal Zulfiqar, right-handed batter, have been recognised for their outstanding performances in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and Emerging Women’s Teams Asia Cup.
Anoosha Nasir, a left-arm spinner, and Shawaal Zulfiqar, a right-handed batsman, have received their first calls to the senior women’s team of Pakistan for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China as a result of their outstanding performances in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and Emerging Women’s Teams Asia Cup. The third and final One-Day International against Australia in January of this year left Diana Baig with a finger injury, but she has since recovered and is included in the 15-player team, according to a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The Pakistani women’s team, which has won gold in the previous two competitions, which were held in Guangzhou, China in 2010 and Incheon, South Korea in 2014, will be going for a hat-trick when they compete in this year’s competition, which is set to take place from September 19 to 26. The game will be played in a T20 format.
According to the ICC T20I rankings and tournament rules, the Pakistan women’s team will participate in the match beginning in the quarterfinals, which are scheduled for September 22 through September 24. On September 25, the semi-finals will be played, and on September 26, the final will be held. On September 26, there will also be a game for the bronze medal.
The women’s selection committee, which was chaired by Saleem Jaffar, held discussions with head coach Mark Coles and captain Nida Dar before settling on the final 15-player roster.
Prior to the Asian Games, Pakistani women will compete in a home series against South Africa that consists of three T20Is and three ODIs in Karachi from September 1 to 14. This series is a part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022–25. The lineup for the bilateral series will be revealed soon.
Athletes are not permitted to carry their children during the Asian Games, therefore former captain Bismah Maroof decided not to compete.
According to a PCB statement, “Ayesha Naseem, who participated in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, expressed her desire to retire from the sport, and the board accepted her request.”
“Our team for the Asian Games reflects Pakistani women’s cricket’s future. I anticipate the players to do well in the competition with a combination of new talent and seasoned competitors, said Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar in a formal statement.
“The Asian Games offer a special chance for our young players to exhibit their talent on a global platform. In order to put together a team that would play well in the conditions of the stadium where the matches will be played, we have adopted a strategic approach. To put together a strong squad, each player’s strengths and degree of adaptability to the playing environment have also been evaluated, Jaffar continued.
Pakistan women’s squad for Asian Games: Nida Dar (capt), Aliya Riaz, Anoosha Nasir, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sandhu, Nataliya Parveiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Ameen, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani.
