Lahore, In a significant move ahead of the forthcoming white-ball series, the Pakistan women’s national selection committee, led by Saleem Jaffar, has announced a list of 20 probables. The series, which is to be held against West Indies women, is scheduled from April 18 to May 3 at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi. It will feature three One Day Internationals (ODIs), integral to the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the selected probables include notable comebacks such as Ayesha Zafar, Gul Feroza, Rameen Shamim, Sidra Nawaz, and Tuba Hassan. However, Omaima Sohail and Shawaal Zulfiqar, who were part of the previous series against New Zealand’s women’s team, have been omitted due to performance and injury, respectively. The final 15-member squad for the ODI series will be announced during a preparatory camp in Karachi, where the players will also prepare for the T20I series.
The camp for the probables will commence on April 1, with an intensive seven-day training scheduled at the Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre starting April 2. This series against the West Indies is crucial for Pakistan as it aims to secure vital points for direct qualification in the ICC Women’s 50-over World Cup. Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar emphasized the importance of broadening the player pool and the significance of the series in strengthening Pakistan’s position for World Cup qualification.
The series schedule is tightly packed, beginning with the West Indies women’s team arrival in Karachi on April 14, followed by the ODIs and T20Is. The timing of the matches indicates evening games for T20Is, potentially under lights, offering a spectacle for fans and a challenging condition for the players.
The announcement underlines Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to enhance its women’s cricket team’s competitive edge on the international stage, with a focus on leveraging domestic performances for team selection. As the series approaches, both teams anticipate a competitive and exciting cricket showcase in Karachi.