Christchurch, Fatima Sana has been named the captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team for the second ODI against New Zealand women, scheduled at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on December 15. She steps in for Nida Dar, who has been sidelined due to a face injury incurred during the first ODI.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board, Nida Dar, the regular captain, was injured after being struck by a ball on her own bowling in the 44th over of the first ODI at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown. Following a medical assessment, Dar has shown symptoms of concussion and advised complete rest for the next two days. Her participation in the third ODI remains uncertain.

Fatima Sana, 22, who made her international debut in 2019, becomes the 10th captain of the Pakistan women’s ODI team. She returns after missing the recent Bangladesh series due to injury, and made a significant comeback in the T20I series against New Zealand, earning the player of the series award. Fatima led Pakistan’s emerging team in the ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in June and has experience captaining the PCB Blasters in domestic cricket.

Nida Dar’s leadership was instrumental in Pakistan’s historic T20I series win against New Zealand, where she led the team in the first Asian country to beat White Ferns in their own backyard. Other team members, including Shawaal Zulfiqar and Diana Baig, also faced injuries during the tour.

Diana Baig, another key player, is recovering from surgery on her index finger and will be sidelined from competitive cricket for four weeks. The Pakistan squad for the second ODI includes Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, and other prominent players.

Fatima Sana expressed her honor in leading the team and her eagerness to perform well in the ODI series. “It is an honor to lead the Pakistan women’s side in ODIs, although the circumstances are unfortunate with Nida Dar’s injury. We are all geared up to excel in tomorrow’s game,” she said.

This change in leadership comes at a crucial time for Pakistan women’s cricket team, as they seek to build on their recent successes and overcome the challenges posed by key players’ injuries.