Dunedin, Pakistan women’s cricket team is gearing up to compete against New Zealand in a three-match T20I series, starting on Sunday at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin. The series, which includes two more T20Is scheduled for Tuesday and Saturday, 9 December, in Dunedin and Queenstown respectively, is set to commence at 1300 local time.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, the series is a crucial part of the team’s preparations for the upcoming ICC Women’s Championship, with three ODIs slated to be held from 12 to 18 December in Queenstown and Christchurch.
The Pakistan squad, led by captain Nida Dar, has been in New Zealand since 25 November and has engaged in several training sessions and practice games in Christchurch. On Friday afternoon, the team arrived in Dunedin and had a three-hour training session at the University of Otago Oval.
New Zealand currently holds a 100 per cent winning record against Pakistan women in their eight head-to-head matches. Pakistan’s left-arm spinners Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal, ranked fifth and seventh respectively in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, are expected to make a significant impact in the series. Nashra is also on the cusp of her 50th T20I appearance for Pakistan. In the all-rounder category, Nida Dar holds the fifth position in the ICC T20I rankings.
In her conversation with PCB Digital, Nida Dar expressed confidence in her team’s ability to compete against the formidable New Zealand side. She emphasized the series as an opportunity for young players to showcase their talent and prepare for next year’s T20 World Cup.
The Pakistan squad includes seasoned players like Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, and emerging talents such as Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, and Waheeda Akhtar. The team is looking forward to assessing their strengths and areas for improvement through this series.
The T20I series against New Zealand presents a valuable experience for the Pakistan women’s cricket team, allowing them to fine-tune their strategies and combinations ahead of the T20 World Cup.