Pakistan announce 15-member women’s squad for Asian Games

Pakistan Women’s cricket team. (Photo Source: Jan Kruger-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Pakistan have announced a 15-member women’s squad for the Asian Games 2022 that is scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China. All-rounder Nida Dar will lead the Pakistan team in the continental multi-sport event.

Courtesy of their impressive performances in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup and Emerging Women’s Teams Asia Cup, left-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir and right-handed batter Shawaal Zulfiqar have earned maiden call-ups in Pakistan’s senior women’s squad. Diana Baig also returns to international cricket after recovering from a finger injury that she sustained in the third and final ODI against Australia in January 2023.

Athletes are not permitted to carry their children during the Asian Games, thus former captain Bismah Maroof withdrew from the event. Meanwhile, Ayesha Naseem will also not feature in the forthcoming event as the board agreed to her request to retire from the sport after she competed in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Pakistan women have won gold medals in the previous two editions, which were held in China in 2010 and South Korea in 2014. When they compete in the upcoming event, which is slated to take place from September 19 to 26, they’ll be aiming for a hat-trick.

According to the ICC (International Cricket Council) T20I rankings and tournament rules, the Pakistan women’s team will compete in the event beginning in the quarterfinals, which are scheduled for 22–24 September. On September 25, the semi-final matches will be played, and on September 26, the summit clash will be contested. On September 26, the contest for the bronze medal will also take place.

Pakistan women will compete in a home series against South Africa that will include three T20Is and three ODIs as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022–25 in Karachi from September 1–14 before competing in the continental multisport event. Additionally, the team for the bilateral series has not yet been announced.

Pakistan women’s squad for Asian Games 2022: 

Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Anoosha Nasir, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Nataliya Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani