Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup Squad
Pakistan have confirmed their women’s cricket squads for the Women’s Asia Cup in Dubai and the Asian Games in Japan, both scheduled for September. The headline news is that Fatima Sana is back at the helm of the Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup squad.
Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup Squad Is Ready for Action
Fatima Sana missed Pakistan’s recent T20 tournament in Sri Lanka because she was playing in The Hundred at the time. She is now returning to lead the side at September’s tournaments.
Her comeback will certainly strengthen the team. Sana is an experienced all-rounder who has spent plenty of time on the field, and Pakistan will need every ounce of energy and skill they can muster to produce strong performances in the upcoming matches.
The Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup squad has been announced:
| 1 | Fatima Sana (captain) |
| 2 | Ayesha Zafar |
| 3 | Eman Naseer |
| 4 | Eyman Fatima |
| 5 | Gull Feroza |
| 6 | Momina Riasat |
| 7 | Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper) |
| 8 | Najiha Alvi |
| 9 | Nashra Sundhu |
| 10 | Sadia Iqbal |
| 11 | Saira Jabeen |
| 12 | Shawaal Zulfiqar |
| 13 | Tuba Hassan |
| 14 | Umm-e-Hani |
| 15 | Waheeda Akhtar |
As for the Asian Games in Japan, the team will remain largely unchanged. However, several adjustments will be made before the event, with Aliya Riaz, Humna Bilal and Tasmia Rubab joining the squad.
Waheeda Akhtar, Najiha Alvi and Sadia Iqbal have been selected only for the tournament in Dubai. Muneeba Ali Siddiqui will serve as wicketkeeper at both events, while Sana will remain captain.
Schedule for Pakistan Women’s Squad at the Asia Cup and Asian Games
Pakistan’s first challenge will be to put in a convincing performance at the Women’s Asia Cup, which will be played in the Twenty20 format. The tournament will run from August 28 to September 13 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The Pakistan Women’s squad will play three Asia Cup matches before the semi-finals:
| Дата матча | Соперник |
| September 1 | Pakistan vs Thailand |
| September 5 | Pakistan vs India |
| September 7 | Pakistan vs Hong Kong, China |
The semi-finals will take place on September 10 and 11, with the final scheduled for September 13.
Pakistan will then travel to Japan to compete at Korogi Athletic Park. The players will not have much time to catch their breath, as Pakistan’s match against Thailand is scheduled for September 17.
Both Asian Games semi-finals will be held on September 20, while the medal matches are set for September 22. Both tournaments – the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games cricket competition – will feature eight national teams.
Fatima Sana Will Lead the Pakistan Women’s Team
Fatima Sana is taking on the role of Pakistan captain—something she has been preparing for since childhood. According to Sana, she first started playing street cricket with her brother. He supported her at the beginning of her journey and encouraged her to break into the Pakistan women’s team.
Sana eventually achieved that goal before taking another major step in her career by representing her country in international cricket.
Fatima Sana has said that she always backs herself whenever she steps onto the field, as success is impossible without self-belief. That may be one of the reasons she has been entrusted with the captaincy.
However, Sana also points out that the support she receives from the management, coaches and teammates plays a major part in helping her build confidence. The Pakistan Women’s squad will be hoping to enjoy a successful run at the Asia Cup.
