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Pakistan has announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, set to take place in Lahore from April 9 to 19, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed.
The tournament will feature six teams – Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand, and West Indies – competing in a round-robin format at Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA Ground. The top two teams will qualify for the 2025 Women’s World Cup in India.
Due to India’s refusal to play in Pakistan, Pakistan’s matches will be held at a neutral venue under the ICC’s ‘fusion’ model.
This will be Pakistan’s first international appearance since October 2023, when they lost to New Zealand in the T20 World Cup.
Fatima Sana will continue as captain, with Muneeba Ali serving as vice-captain. The squad includes Shawaal Zulfiqar, who returns after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained in December.
Meanwhile, controversy surrounds the PCB’s domestic contracts for women cricketers, as their base salary reportedly falls below the minimum wage for unskilled laborers, set at Rs 37,000. Despite rising inflation, match fees remain unchanged from last year.
Pakistan aims to secure a World Cup berth with strong performances in Lahore, while concerns about financial support for women’s cricket continue to raise questions.
Squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah.
Reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Waheeda Akhtar and Umm-e-Hani.
Player support personnel: Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Waseem (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Rehman (assistant coach spin bowling), Abdul Saad (assistant coach fielding), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Muhammad Rafi Ullah (media manager), Muhammad Ramzan (strength and conditioning coach), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist) and Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse).
Schedule for Pakistan matches
Pakistan’s schedule includes matches against Ireland (April 9), Scotland (April 11), West Indies (April 14), Thailand (April 17), and Bangladesh (April 19). Day matches start at 9:30 AM, while day-night fixtures begin at 2 PM.
