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Pakistan Recall Shawaal Zulfiqar As Sadaf's Replacement For Ireland T20Is

Soumyajit Dutta

Shawaal Zulfiqar and Sadaf Shamas [Source: @cricify/X.com]Shawaal Zulfiqar and Sadaf Shamas [Source: @cricify/X.com]

Pakistan's women's cricket team has suffered a setback ahead of their T20I series against Ireland, with middle-order batter Sadaf Shamas being ruled out due to a left quadriceps tear sustained during training in Karachi. The 15-member squad will now feature returning opener Shawaal Zulfiqar as her replacement.

Shawaal Zulfiqar, 20, who last featured in a T20I in December 2023 before a shoulder injury sidelined her, recently made her comeback during the Women's ODI World Cup Qualifier in Lahore. The 20-year-old will join the squad in Belfast on August 3 ahead of the series opener on August 6.

Zulfiqar's Return Adds Experience to Batting Lineup

The selection marks a significant opportunity for Zulfiqar, who was part of Pakistan's 24-player skills camp last month. While her recent international returns have been modest with 8 runs in 2 Qualifier games, her domestic form and prior experience in the game make her a valuable addition to captain Fatima Sana's squad.

The revised squad also includes promising 20-year-old batter Eyman Fatima, rewarded for standout performances in the National T20 tournament. Her inclusion continues Pakistan's strategy of blending youth with experience as they build towards future ICC events.

Ireland Series Crucial for World Cup Preparations

With all three T20Is to be played in Belfast, the series serves as vital preparation ahead of next year's T20 World Cup. Pakistan will hope to overcome Shamas' absence through Zulfiqar's top-order stability and Fatima's potential breakthrough performances.

The injury blow comes at a challenging time for Pakistan women's cricket, but the depth shown in Zulfiqar's recall demonstrates growing squad resilience ahead of this crucial away assignment.

Pakistan's revised squad for Ireland T20Is

Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Waheeda Akhtar