Karachi, In a significant development for women’s cricket, Pakistan will host the West Indies Women’s team for a white-ball series next month, featuring three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). The ODIs, scheduled for April 18, 21, and 23, will be part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25, with the T20I series running from April 26 to May 3, aiding both teams in their preparations for this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

According to International Cricket Council, all matches will take place at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, marking West Indies women’s second tour of Pakistan since November 2021. The series represents a pivotal moment for Pakistan’s women’s team, currently ranked third in the ICC Women’s Championship standings, as they aim to secure a direct qualification for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. The series against West Indies, who are currently positioned ninth, offers Pakistan a chance to enhance their standing with crucial points on offer in the ODIs.

Tania Mallick, Head of Women’s Cricket at the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), emphasized the significance of hosting the fourth women’s championship series at home within the 2022-25 cycle. She highlighted the series as a testament to PCB’s commitment to promoting women’s cricket and providing Pakistani players with opportunities to excel on the international stage. Mallick also noted the importance of the T20I series in finalizing the squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in Bangladesh later this year.

The series schedule is as follows: The ODIs are set for April 18, 21, and 23, and the T20Is on April 26, 28, 30, and May 2 and 3, all to be played in Karachi. This series not only contributes to the teams’ World Cup preparations but also aims to foster relations and strengthen bonds between the cricketing nations, underlining the broader significance of international cricket encounters beyond the competition itself.