PESHAWAR
\nLeft-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir and right-handed batter Shawaal Zulfiqar have been rewarded for their strong performances in the ICC U19 Women\u2019s T20 World Cup and Emerging Women\u2019s Teams Asia Cup with maiden call-ups in Pakistan\u2019s senior women\u2019s squad for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.
\nThe 15-player squad also features Diana Baig who makes a return to international cricket after recovering from a finger injury that she sustained in the third and final One-Day International against Australia in January this year.
\nPakistan women\u2019s team that have won gold medals in the last two editions, held in Guangzhou, China in 2010 and Incheon, South Korea 2014, and will be aiming for a hat-trick when they feature in this year\u2019s event scheduled to take place from 19 to 26 September. The event will be played in T20 format.
\nPakistan women\u2019s team as per the ICC T20I rankings and tournament\u2019s rule will feature in the event from the quarter-finals scheduled to take place from September 22-24. The semi-finals will be played on Sept. 25, while the final will take place on Sept. 26, 2023. The match for the bronze medal will also take place on Tuesday, Sept. 26.
\nThe 15-member squad was finalized after deliberations amongst the women\u2019s selection committee led by Saleem Jaffar, head coach Mark Coles and captain Nida Dar.
\nSquad: Nida Dar (captain), 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 and Umm-e-Hani.
\nBefore the Asian Games, Pakistan women will feature in the home series against South Africa consisting three T20Is and three ODIs (part of ICC Women\u2019s Championship 2022-25) in Karachi from September 1-14. The squad for the bilateral series will be announced in due course. Former captain Bismah Maroof has opted out of the Asian Games because of the event\u2019s rules and regulations that do not allow athletes to carry their children.
\nAyesha Naseem, who featured in the ICC Women\u2019s T20 World Cup, expressed her desire to retire from the game, which the board accepted. Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar said: \u201cOur squad for the Asian Games represents the future of women\u2019s cricket in Pakistan. With a mix of emerging talent and seasoned campaigners, I expect the players to do well in the event.
\n\u201cThe 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\u2019s strengths and adaptability to the playing conditions have also been assessed to form a solid squad.\u201d
\nHead of Women Cricket, Tania Mallick said: \u201cBeing a part of the Asian Games is an exhilarating experience for our team. It\u2019s not just about the competition; it\u2019s about camaraderie, sportsmanship, and representing the country with pride.
\nPakistan captain, Nida Dar: \u201cThe Asian Games have witnessed some extraordinary moments for Pakistan women\u2019s cricket, and it\u2019s an immense privilege to be part of that history. As captain, I am confident in the abilities of my teammates, both the experienced ones and the exciting young talents. Player Support staff: Ayesha Ashhar (team manager), Mark Coles (head coach), Saleem Jaffer (bowling coach), Mauhtashim Rashid (fielding coach) and Rifat Gill (physiotherapist).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Left-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir and right-handed batter Shawaal Zulfiqar have been rewarded for their strong performances in the ICC U19 Women\u2019s T20 World Cup and Emerging Women\u2019s Teams Asia Cup with maiden call-ups in Pakistan\u2019s senior women\u2019s squad for the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. The 15-player squad also features Diana Baig who makes […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":345534,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-345505","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n