The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is set to commence on September 30, with Pakistan kicking off their campaign against Bangladesh on October 2. This tournament features eight teams, and Pakistan earned their spot by securing a perfect record in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier held in Lahore earlier this year.
Leading up to the World Cup, Pakistan participated in a three-match ODI series against South Africa in Lahore, where they experienced a tough outing, losing the series 2-1. However, seven players on the team will be making their debut in an ODI World Cup: Eyman Fatima, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Syeda Aroob Shah.
The group stage matches for Pakistan will take place at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Should they perform well enough to reach the semi-finals on October 29 and the final on November 2, both matches will also be held in Colombo.
Captain Fatima Sana expressed her optimism regarding the team’s preparations, stating, “Our preparations for the World Cup have been focused and purposeful. We’ve addressed areas needing improvement and have seen progress since our successful Qualifiers.”
Sana noted the squad’s dedication in training and highlighted that the playing conditions in Colombo closely resemble those in Pakistan, which has aided their adjustment. She expressed disappointment over the cancellation of their warm-up match against Sri Lanka due to rain, as it would have provided essential experience in local conditions. Nonetheless, the match against South Africa allowed the team to experiment with different combinations.
Reflecting on her personal performance, Sana mentioned, “It was nice to spend some time at the crease and score runs after the last series,” noting the team’s commitment to continued growth in the lead-up to the World Cup.
The captain emphasized the importance of consistency, discipline, and teamwork in advancing through the tournament. She reaffirmed the team’s goal to play positively, rise to challenges, and make Pakistan proud.
The 15-member squad includes Fatima Sana as captain and Muneeba Ali Siddiqui as vice-captain, along with key players such as Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, and Sidra Nawaz as wicket-keeper. Five additional players are named as non-traveling reserves, and the support staff includes a diverse team of coaches, managers, and medical personnel.
Pakistan’s fixtures in the tournament include matches against formidable opponents such as India, Australia, and England, all set to begin at 2:30 PM local time.
With a blend of seasoned players and promising newcomers, Pakistan aims to make a significant impact in the World Cup, bringing hope and pride to their fans along the way.