Pakistan Women Squad Announced for ICC World Cup 2025 Qualifiers

Pakistan Women Squad

The Pakistan Cricket Board has officially announced the 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers, which will take place from April 9-19 in Pakistan. This crucial tournament will determine the final two teams that will qualify for the prestigious Women Cricket World Cup in India later this year.

With high stakes and strong competition ahead, Pakistan squad, led by captain Fatima Sana, is gearing up for a challenging campaign. The selection includes a mix of experienced players and emerging talents, as the team aims to secure a spot in the global tournament.

Pakistan Road to World Cup Qualification

The ICC Women Cricket World Cup Qualifiers will follow a round-robin format, featuring six teams: Pakistan, West Indies, Thailand, Scotland, Ireland, and Bangladesh. Each team will play against the others once, and the top two teams at the end of the group stage will earn direct qualification for the ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2025 in India.

Pakistan, being the host, will enjoy home conditions, which could prove to be a significant advantage. However, with teams like West Indies and Bangladesh boasting strong squads, the qualification race is expected to be fiercely contested.

Fatima Sana Continues as Captain

Pace all-rounder Fatima Sana, who led Pakistan during the ICC Women T20 World Cup last year, has retained her captaincy for this crucial tournament. At just 22 years old, she has already established herself as a key player in Pakistan setup. Her leadership, combined with her ability to contribute with both bat and ball, will be instrumental in Pakistan success in the qualifiers.

Pakistan Team Continues Preparations for the ICC Women Cricket World Cup

Key Absence: Nida Dar Left Out of the Squad

One of the biggest surprises in the squad announcement was the exclusion of veteran all-rounder Nida Dar. She was initially part of the 19-player training camp but did not make it into the final squad. Dar, known for her experience and leadership qualities, has been a key figure in Pakistan women cricket for years. While the selection committee has not disclosed specific reasons for her omission, it is speculated that recent form and team balance played a role in the decision.

The Return of Shawaal Zulfiqar

A major boost for Pakistan squad is the return of young batting prodigy Shawaal Zulfiqar. She had been sidelined due to a shoulder injury but has now fully recovered and earned her place in the team. Shawaal last played for Pakistan in 2023 and was regarded as one of the most promising young talents in the squad. Her inclusion will add depth to Pakistan batting lineup, which will be crucial against competitive bowling attacks in the tournament.

Squad Breakdown and Strengths

Pakistan squad features a blend of experienced campaigners and young talents, ensuring a balanced lineup across all departments.

• Batting Strength: The squad includes top-order batters like Sidra Amin, Muneeba Ali, and Gull Feroza, who have been consistent performers in recent matches. Omaima Sohail and Aliya Riaz add stability in the middle order.
• Bowling Attack: With a strong bowling lineup featuring Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, and Nashra Sundhu, Pakistan possesses a potent attack capable of troubling any opponent.
• All-Round Balance: Captain Fatima Sana, Rameen Shamim, and Syeda Aroob Shah provide all-round abilities that can be game-changing in crucial situations.

Pakistan Women Squad

Pakistan Full Squad for ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers:

• Captain: Fatima Sana
• Batters: Sidra Amin, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Omaima Sohail, Shawaal Zulfiqar
• All-Rounders: Aliya Riaz, Natalia Parvaiz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim
• Bowlers: Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sundhu
• Wicketkeepers: Najiha Alvi, Sidra Nawaz

Tough Competition in the Qualifiers

Pakistan will face a stiff challenge in the qualifiers, with teams like the West Indies and Bangladesh entering the tournament with strong squads. The competition will test Pakistan batting depth and bowling versatility, making their strategy crucial in determining their fate.

https://cricketpakistan.com.pk

West Indies, known for their power-hitting and all-round depth, will be one of the toughest teams to beat. Bangladesh, a rising force in women cricket, has shown significant improvement in recent years and will be another formidable opponent. Scotland, Ireland, and Thailand may not have the same experience, but they have caused upsets in previous tournaments, making them dangerous in a short-format competition.

Pakistan Strategy for Success

For Pakistan to secure one of the two qualification spots, the team must focus on consistency and adaptability. Key areas they need to address include:

• Strong Opening Partnerships: Setting a solid foundation with the top order will be critical, especially against stronger bowling attacks.
• Middle-Order Stability: The absence of Nida Dar puts additional responsibility on Aliya Riaz and Omaima Sohail to anchor the innings in crucial moments.
• Pace and Spin Combination: The mix of fast bowlers like Diana Baig and spinners like Nashra Sundhu could prove to be a winning formula in home conditions.

The Road Ahead

With the tournament set to begin on April 9, Pakistan team will enter the final phase of preparations in the coming weeks. Fans will be eagerly watching as the team aims to secure a place in the Women Cricket World Cup 2025, which will be hosted in India later this year.

FAQs

Pakistan journey in the ICC Women Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifiers will be one to watch, as they aim to make their mark and secure a place among the world best teams in women cricket.