The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its squad for the upcoming 9th edition of the Women’s Twenty20 (T20) World Cup, set to take place from October 3 to 20, 2024, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
In a noteworthy decision, the national selectors have shown rare consistency by making only one change to the squad that competed in the Women’s Asia Cup in July 2024, where Pakistan reached the semi-finals.
Promising 25-year-old opener Sadaf Shamas returns to the squad after last playing against England in May 2024 and missing out on the subsequent T20 Asia Cup. However, the spotlight is on the captaincy shift, with 22-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder Fatima Sana taking over the reins from Nida Dar. Sana, who has leadership experience at the domestic level, with Pakistan Emerging, and in two ODIs, faces the significant challenge of leading the team in a World Cup in her first full-time captaincy assignment.
Beyond issues with form, Pakistan also faces concerns over the match fitness of seasoned spinner Sadia Iqbal, who is racing against time to regain game fitness. Uncapped left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab has been included in the squad, while Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani have been named as non-traveling reserves.
Pakistan’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup:
Fatima Sana (C), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (WK), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan
Pakistan is placed in Group A, alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. After warm-up matches against England and West Indies, they will face India in their tournament opener on Sunday, October 6.
