The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will mark the ninth edition of this prestigious tournamen??t, where 10 top teams from around the globe will battle for glory from October 3 to October 20 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Divided into two groups, the teams will compete in a round-robin group stage, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals, culminating in a grand final on October 20.

Pakistan’s struggles and aspirations

Historically, the Pakistan women’s team has struggled in this competition. Despite participating in all eight previous editions, they are yet to reach the semi-finals. Their record stands at eight wins in 32 games, a statistic that highlights their challenges at t?he highest level of women’s T20 cricket. However, under new leadership, Pakistan will be determined to break this pattern and make an impact in the 2024 edition.

Group A challenges: Facing the best in the world

Placed in Group A, Pakistan faces an uphill battle against some of the world’s most formidable teams. The group includes India, New Zealand, and defending champions Australia, making Pakistan’s path to the knockout stages highly competitive. Rounding out the group is Sri Lanka, against whom Pakistan will kick off their campaign on October 3 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Their second match, one of the tournament’s most anticipated clashes, will be against arch-rivals India on October 6 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS).

Pakistan will continue their group stage fixtures with a tough match against Australia on October 11 and conclude the group stage with a game against New Zealand on October 14, both at the DICS. Each match will be crucial, with Pakistan hoping to secure enough wins to advance to the semi-finals for the f?irs??t time in their history.

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Leadership transition and key players

This year’s campaign will be led by 22-year-old Fatima Sana, who was appointed as the captain by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Her leadership, combined with her all-rounder skills, will be vital for Pakistan’s hopes of turning the tide in the competition. The squad is a balanced mix of youth and experience, with players like Nida Dar and Bismah Maroof providing a steady presence in the middle order, while emerging talents like Muneeba Ali and Ayesha Naseem offer explosive potential.

Pakistan’s top-choice XI for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024:

1. Muneeba Ali – Opening Batter

• Role: Left-handed opener.
• Strength: Aggressive batting with a strong ability to accelerate in the powerplay.
• UAE Impact: Muneeba’s shot-making will be essential in exploiting fielding restrictions on UAE’s slower pitches.

2. Sidra Amin – Opening Batter

• Role: Reliable top-order batter.
• Strength: Known for her consistency and ability to build innings.
• UAE Impact: Sidra’s steady approach will help balance the aggressive play of Muneeba, allowing Pakistan to build a solid foundation.

3. Nida Dar – All-rounder

• Role: Middle-order batter, off-spinner.
• Strength: One of the most experienced T20 players, capable of contributing with both bat and ball.
• UAE Impact: Her off-spin will be crucial in controlling the middle overs on UAE’s turning tracks, while her batting can steady the ship under pressure.

4. Aliya Riaz – All-rounder

• Role: Hard-hitting middle-order batter, medium-pacer.
• Strength: Powerful striker of the ball, handy with the ball in hand.
• UAE Impact: Riaz’s big-hitting ability will be important in the death overs, and her medium pace can be effective in UAE’s slower conditions.

5. Iram Javed – Middle-order Batter

• Role: Power hitter.
• Strength: Capable of accelerating the scoring rate during the middle and death overs.
• UAE Impact: Iram’s ability to hit big in the later stages will be vital for finishing strong on low-scoring UAE surfaces.

6. Fatima Sana (Captain) – All-rounder

• Role: Medium-fast bowler, lower-order batter.
• Strength: Leader with reliable pace bowling and useful lower-order hitting.
• UAE Impact: Fatima’s swing bowling will be key to making early breakthroughs, while her batting can provide crucial runs in pressure situations.

7. Omaima Sohail – All-rounder

• Role: Middle-order batter, part-time bowler.
• Strength: Handy with both bat and ball, flexible in roles.
• UAE Impact: Omaima’s contributions with bat and ball will be essential in ensuring balance, particularly as a second spin option in turning conditions.

8. Sadia Iqbal – Left-arm Spinner

• Role: Left-arm orthodox spinner.
• Strength: Economical and wicket-taking option in the middle overs.
• UAE Impact: Sadia’s left-arm spin will be crucial on UAE’s slow, spin-friendly pitches, where she can choke the opposition’s scoring rate.

9. Nashra Sandhu – Left-arm Spinner

• Role: Left-arm spinner.
• Strength: Consistent wicket-taker, strong in middle overs.
• UAE Impact: Sundhu’s ability to turn the ball will be vital in the middle overs to break partnerships and take advantage of spin-friendly conditions.

10. Diana Baig – Fast Bowler

• Role: Right-arm fast bowler.
• Strength: Capable of generating pace and swing with the new ball.
• UAE Impact: Baig’s ability to extract movement early on UAE pitches can create early breakthroughs and put pressure on the opposition.

11. Tuba Hassan – Leg-spinner

• Role: Leg-spin bowler.
• Strength: A promising leg-spinner, skilled at taking wickets in crucial moments.
• UAE Impact: Tuba’s leg-spin will be vital in exploiting the turning conditions in the UAE, offering Pakistan a reliable wicket-taking option in the middle overs.

Also READ: Jess Jonassen pic?ks her favourite team for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024; also reveals four semi-finalists

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the 16-member Women’s ODI and T20I squads for the forthcoming home series against the West Indies. The series, slated to commence in mid-April, marks a significant encounter for both teams as th??ey gear up for the white-ball battle on Pakistani soil.

ODIs as part of ICC Women’s Championship

The upcoming series will kick off with a set of three One Day Internationals (ODIs), integral fixtures within the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. This championship holds paramount importance as teams vie for points to secure direct qualification for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup scheduled for the following year. Following the ODIs, a series of five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) will take place, offering vital preparation for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Leadership and squad inclusions

Nida Dar, the seasoned all-rounder, will continue to lead the Women in Green in both formats. However, the participation of veteran cricketer Bismah Maroof in both squads is contingent upon her fitness. In the ODI squad, the return of wicketkeeper-batter Sidra Nawaz is notable. Sidra, boasting significan??t experience with 67 ODIs and 56 T20Is under her belt, last represen??ted Pakistan in ODIs against South Africa in September 2023.

Likewise, the T20I squad sees the comeback of Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Rameen Shamim, and Tuba Hassan. Ayesha, with 29 ODIs and 20 T20Is, last featured in Pakistan’s T20I squad against South Africa in 2021. Feroza’s last T20I appearance was against Sri Lanka in 2022, while Shamim’s last T20I match dated back to 2019 against South Africa. Hassan, who debuted in ODIs against Australia in 2023, was last seen in T20I action against England during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2023.

Selectors’ vision

Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar expressed the significance of the series against the West Indies, highlighting the pivotal role of ODIs in the ICC Women’s Championship. He emp??hasized the team’s aim to secure maximum points leveraging the home advantage, thereby strengthening their prospects for direct qualification to the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.

“The series against the West Indies is important for us as the ODIs are part of ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. We are aiming to secure maximum points in the series, taking advantage of our home conditions, to enhance our chances for direct qualification for next year’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup,” said Jaffar in an official statement.

Also READ: South Africa vs Sri Lanka 2024, Women’s ODI series – Date, Match, Time, Venue, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

Pakistan Women’s ODI squad

Nid??a Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof (subject to fitness), Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

Pakistan Women’s T20I squad

Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Bis??mah Maroof (subject to fitness), Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.

Also READ: Ind??ia to tour Bangladesh for the five-match Women’s?? T20I Series in April-May

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.