The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Fatima Sana as the captain of Pakistan’s team for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, a decision unanimously made by the Women’s national selection committee. The new captaincy was revealed when PCB announced the 15-member squad for the mega event. The tournament is now set to take place in the United Arab Emirates from October 3 to 20. It was originally scheduled for Bangladesh but was shifted due to political unrest in the country.
Fatima, a bowling all-rounder, has so far picked up 31 T20I wickets in 40 games at an average of 30.09 and has scored 215 runs in the format at a strike rate of 100.46. The 22-year-old has a brief experience leading the team, previously captained the Emerging and domestic teams. She also led Pakistan to a historic ODI victory over New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, in December 2023.
Fatima takes over the captaincy from the 37-year-old Nida Dar, who had succeeded Bismah Maroof as skipper across all formats. Nida, a seasoned all-rounder who has represented Pakistan in 112 ODIs and 153 T20Is, remains part of the 15-member squad.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka for the T20 World Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC) will announce the revised fixtures for the group in due course.
Pakistan have made a single change to their squad from the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 held last month in Sri Lanka. Sadaf Shamas, a right-handed batter, who was part of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa, earned a spot this time as well, replacing wicket-keeper-batter Najiha Alvi. Notably, Alvi will also travel with Pakistan’s squad to the UAE as a reserve player.
Ten players from the 2023 squad have been retained– Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, and Tuba Hassan. Meanwhile, uncapped left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab has also been included in the final 15. In addition, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has been added subject to fitness.
Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wk)
Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim, Umm-e-Hani
