Nida Dar will be aiming for a winning start as the captain of the Pakistan women’s team when her side takes on the touring South Africa women’s team in the first of the three-match T20I series starting tomorrow (Friday) in Karachi.
All-rounder Nida was appointed full-time captain of the side in April this year after Bismah Maroof stepped down from the captaincy following Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in February.
After the T20I series on 1, 3 and 4 September, Pakistan and South Africa women’s sides will feature in three ODIs, which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 from 8 to 14 September.
To encourage fans to come to the ground, affordable ticket prices have been fixed for the six matches. All VIP enclosures of Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad will be open for spectators.
In one of the busiest international seasons for Pakistan women’s team, they are all set to play 15 ODIs, 17 T20Is, and participate in the 19th Asian Games from 1 September 2023 to 29 May 2024.
On the other hand, South Africa, who are embarking on their maiden tour to Pakistan will be led by Laura Wolvaardt. She was given the reins of the touring side recently after Suné Luus led South Africa women’s team to the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In the T20I format, the hosts are ranked seventh in the ICC Rankings, while South Africa are ranked fifth. On a head-to-head basis, Pakistan and South Africa have played a total of 18 T20Is, three of which include matches in ICC events.
Out of the 15 T20Is part of bilateral series, South Africa have won eight, while the hosts have won seven. The last time both sides featured in a T20I match was in Durban in 2021, where Pakistan defeated South Africa by eight runs on DLS.
Busy international women’s cricket season 2023-24 begins tomorrow
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Speaking ahead of the series, Captain Nida Dar said she is honoured to lead the Pakistan team as a full-time captain. “The South Africa women’s side is here for the first time, so it’s going to be a great experience, and we are looking forward to the series.”
She said the National Bank Stadium is a historic venue and she has always dreamed of playing against a very competitive side. She hoped that the team would produce positive results.
“We are fully focused on the game. We haven’t played international cricket in the recent past, but we kept ourselves fit through different skills camps and practice games. The team combination is really strong, and as a leader, I am looking forward to achieving positive results for the team in the series.”
“We have a very busy season coming up, so we have prepared ourselves well. The Asian Games are scheduled after the South Africa series, so this series will help us prepare well in the Asian Games. I expect us to perform well in the series, and we are geared up for the busy year ahead.”
Laura Wolvaardt said she is excited to be here again in Pakistan. “I had a great time before when I was here for the exhibition match and now I am looking forward to a memorable time”
“It’s our first-ever tour to Pakistan, so the training sessions ahead of the T20I series will be very important to help us understand the conditions here.”
“This is going to be a big series, a closely contested one. Pakistan is a very competitive side, and Nida is a very good captain. They have very talented young players on their side, so we are up for a very good series.”
“I will encourage the fans to come; it’s going to be exciting cricket matches in the evening, and definitely, people should come and support.”
Pakistan T20I squad:
Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani.
Reserves – Anoosha Nasir, Omaima Sohail and Waheeda Akhtar
Schedule
1 September – First T20I.
3 September – Second T20I.
4 September – Third T20I.
