South Africa women to play three T20Is in Pakistan ahead of World Cup

Staff Report

LAHORE: Pakistan and South Africa women’s cricket teams will prepare for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by competing in a three-match series at the Multan Cricket Stadium. This will be South Africa’s second tour of Pakistan in just over a year. The teams had faced off in three ODIs and three T20Is between September 1 and 14 last year –––South Africa won the ODIs 2-1, while Pakistan swept the T20Is. The South Africa team will arrive in Multan on September 13, with matches scheduled for September 16, 18, and 20. To ensure all three matches are broadcast live and give exposure to women’s cricket, the matches on September 16 and 18 will start at 7:00 pm, while the match on 20 September will begin at 10:00 am. After the series, South Africa will depart for the UAE on September 21, while Pakistan will leave on September 23. Pakistan are in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, along with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, while South Africa are grouped with Bangladesh, England, Scotland and the West Indies. Following warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh on September 28 and 30, respectively, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka on October 3 in Sharjah, followed by matches against India on October 6 in Dubai, Australia on October 11 in Dubai and New Zealand on October 14 in Dubai.

Meanwhile, the PCB has confirmed that the squad announced for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will feature in the three-match series against South Africa. Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper, traveling reserve), Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani (both non-traveling reserves) will be part of the pre-series training camp and series in Multan. However, only Najiha will travel to the UAE with the squad. To prepare for the home series and next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the Pakistan women’s training camp will commence at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Sunday, September 1.

Squad:

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan.

The following is the player support personnel for the training camp, series against South Africa and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024:

Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach – bowling), Hanif Malik (assistant coach – fielding), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Imran Khalil (strength and conditioning coach), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager), Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist) and Waleed Ahmed (analyst).

Schedule of matches:

Sep 16– 1st T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7pm start)

Sep 18– 2nd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7pm start)

Sep 20 – 3rd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (10am start).