Fatima Sana to lead Pakistan women squad on South Africa tour

PCB announced the Pakistan women’s squads for tour to South Africa, confirming that Fatima Sana will serve as captain in both the T20I and ODI.

According to PCB, Pakistan will play three T20I and three ODIs during the tour, starting from 10th February to 1st March. 

The T20I series are scheduled from 10th February 16th February across Potchefstroom, Benoni and Kimberley.

After the T20Is, the women’s team will play a 50 over warm-up match in Kimberley on 19th February, before the ODI series begins. The three ODIs will be held in Bloemfontein, Centurion and Durban between 22nd February to 1st March.

Players including Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Tasmia Rubab, have been listed for both teams. Superb batter Saira Jabeen and fast bowler Humna Bilal have earned their first T20I call-ups.

Opening batters Ayesha Zafar and Gul Feroza, left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab, and wicketkeeper and batter Najiha Alvi return to the ODI team after not being selected for the last ODI World Cup. 

Furthermore, Diana Baig, Sadaf Shams and Syeda Aroob Shah are selected only for the ODI squad, while Humna Bilal, Saira Jabeen, Tuba Hassan and Eyman Fatima are selected only for T20I.

This tour to South Africa marks Pakistan women’s return to South Africa for a series after five years. Pakistan also played in South Africa during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, with matches held in Cape Town and Paarl.

The touring party will be supported by mentor Wahab Riaz, batting coach Imran Farhat, fast bowling coach Umaid Asif, spin bowling coach Abdur Rehman, and team manager Ayesha Ashar among others.                                                         Pakistan Women’s tour of South Africa Schedule: (10 February to 1 March)

1st T20I: February 10 — JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (day/night)

2nd T20I: February 13 — Willowmoore Park, Benoni (day/night)

3rd T20I: February 16 — Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day/night)

50-over warm-up match; February 19 — Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day)

1st ODI: February 22 — Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein (day)

2nd ODI: February 25 — SuperSport Park, Centurion (day/night)

3rd ODI: March 1 — Kingsmead Stadium, Durban (day)