Pakistan Women. [Source - TheRealPCB/x.com]
In a significant development, Pakistan has named their 15-member squad on Wednesday, for the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier. The six-team tournament will take place from April 9 to 19 in the city of Lahore, Pakistan.
Fatima Sana will continue as the captain, having led the side in last year’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. One notable absence is all-rounder Nida Dar, which comes as a big surprise as she was part of the 19-player group called for a camp ahead of the tournament.
However, on the positive side, young Shawaal Zulfiqar makes her return to the team for the first time since 2023, after recovering from a shoulder injury. Pakistan will look to get the most out of their home conditions and achieve the ultimate goal in this competition.
Pakistan Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Najiha Alvi, Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sundhu, Muneeba Ali, Rameen Shamim, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Natalia Parvaiz and Sidra Nawaz.
Road to India Begins
Pakistan will kick-off their campaign in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier against Ireland, as both teams are among the six sides competing for the final two spots in the Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place later this year in India.
Besides, the likes of Bangladesh and West Indies will be in action as well, who failed to confirm a direct place in the mega event through Women's Championship which took place from 2023 to 2025. Scotland and Thailand are the other two teams that will feature in the competition for being the next two best ranked sides in the ICC ODI team rankings.
The 15-match tournament which will be played across two venues in Lahore i.e. the newly renovated Gaddafi Stadium and Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Stadium. The tournament will be played in a round-robin format where the top two teams after the last game day will seal their place in the World Cup in India.