Pakistan Name Women's Squad For Asian Games 2023, Nida Dar To Lead

image-lkhzf09yNida Dar will lead the team [Twitter]

On July 25, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a strong 15-player women's squad for the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Anoosha Nasir, the left-arm spinner, and Shawaal Zulfiqar, the right-handed batter, earned their first call-ups to the senior women's team due to their recent impressive performances in the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup and Emerging Women's Teams Asia Cup.

The selection committee, led by Saleem Jaffar, finalized the 15-member squad along with head coach Mark Coles and captain Nida Dar. Veteran Diana Baig returns to international cricket after recovering from a finger injury she sustained during the third and final ODI against Australia in January this year. 

However, Bismah Maroof has opted out of the Asian Games due to event regulations prohibiting athletes from bringing their children.

“Our squad for the Asian Games represents the future of women's cricket in Pakistan. With a mix of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners, I expect the players to do well in the event. The Asian Games present a unique opportunity for our young players to showcase their talent on an international stage. We have taken a strategic approach to assemble a squad that complements the conditions of the venue where the matches will take place. Each player's strengths and adaptability to the playing conditions have also been assessed to form a solid squad,"  Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar said while announcing the squad.

According to the ICC T20I rankings and tournament rules, the Pakistan women's team will feature in the event from the quarter-finals scheduled for September 22 to 24. The semi-finals are set for September 25, with the final on September 26. The match for the Bronze medal is also slated for Tuesday, September 26.

The Pakistan women's team has secured gold medals in the last two editions, held in Guangzhou, China, in 2010 and Incheon, South Korea, in 2014, and is now aiming for a hat-trick of victories in this year's event, which is scheduled from September 19 to 26.


Pakistan women's squad for Asian Games 2023

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Anoosha Nasir, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Nataliya Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Umm-e-Hani