Queenstown, The Pakistan women’s cricket team, led by captain Nida Dar, is set to continue their impressive form in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand, starting tomorrow at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown. Following their recent success in the T20I series, the team looks to carry the momentum into the ODIs, which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the first ODI will begin at 11 am local time, with subsequent matches scheduled for December 15 and 18 in Christchurch, starting at 2 pm local time. Pakistan currently holds the fifth position in the ICC Women’s Championship with 14 points from 15 matches, while New Zealand is in the sixth spot with 12 points from 12 games.
In their previous encounters, Pakistan and New Zealand have faced each other in 14 ODIs, with New Zealand dominating the head-to-head record. Pakistan’s sole victory came in Sharjah in 2017, led by then-captain Sana Mir.
Key Pakistani players to watch in the series include Fatima Sana, a young right-arm pacer who took six wickets in the three T20Is against the White Ferns and was declared player of the series. Nida Dar, the team’s captain and eighth-ranked all-rounder in ICC Women’s ODI rankings, is on the verge of reaching 100 ODI wickets, which would make her the second Pakistan women’s cricketer to achieve this milestone. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal and right-handed batter Sidra Amin are other notable players who have shown exceptional form recently.
Taufeeq Umar, former Pakistan Test opening batter and current batting coach for the women’s team, shared his insights with PCB Digital. He praised the team’s performance in the T20Is and emphasized the batters’ adaptability and maturity. Umar expressed confidence in the team’s preparations and their ability to face the challenges of playing in New Zealand.
The Pakistan squad for the ODI series includes a mix of experienced and emerging players, with Nida Dar leading the team. The series schedule began with the T20Is earlier in December, where Pakistan women secured two wins out of three matches.
The ODI series is seen as a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to further establish their prowess in women’s cricket on the international stage, particularly in the challenging conditions of New Zealand.