Pakistan announce squad for Women's Asia Cup, Nida Dar retained as captain

The impending edition of the Women's Asia Cup, which will be played in the T20 format, is scheduled to be held in Dambulla, Sri Lanka from July 19 to July 28. Ahead of the continental tournament, Pakistan announced a 15-member squad for the event following a four-day camp, which concluded in Karachi on Saturday, June 29.

Nida Dar will continue to lead the Women in Green in the eight-team tournament. She has been in abysmal form in recent times with both bat and ball, and the team also hasn't performed up to the mark under her leadership. However, the selectors have placed their faith in the veteran cricket.

Ayesha Zafar, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar, who were part of the 17-member squad that toured England last month, have been left out. Instead, the selectors have named Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, Syeda Aroob Shah and Tasmia Rubab. For the unversed, Pakistan remained winless on the English tour.

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The 22-year-old left-arm pacer Rubab is the only uncapped played in the side. She played for Pakistan A against West Indies A and Thailand in November 2023. Representing Multan in the recently held National Women’s One-Day Tournament 2023-24, Tasmia scored 86 runs and took 12 wickets. Tasmia also took four wickets at an economy-rate of 6.36 in the National Women T20 Tournament 2023-24.

Rubab is one of the four players who were not part of any international cricket this year but found places for the upcoming assignment. Batting all-rounder Iram Javed, who hasn't played T20Is since Pakistan's tour of Bangladesh last year, returns to the side, while Omaima Sohail and Syeda Aroob Shah come back for the first time since the tours against New Zealand and South Africa, respectively.

Meanwhile, a preparatory camp of the Pakistan team for the Women’s Asia Cup will get underway in Karachi from July 5 and will be in operation until the squad’s departure on July 16. New head coach Muhammad Wasim will supervise the camp and will be supported by Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach – bowling) and Hanif Malik (assistant coach – fielding). Moreover, Hina Munawar, Rabia Siddiq and Waleed Ahmed have already been confirmed as the team manager, physiotherapist and analyst, respectively.

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Pakistan are a part of Group 'A' alongside the UAE, Nepal, and arch-rivals India. Meanwhile, Group 'B' comprises Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Pakistan begin their campaign on July 19, as they face Harmanpreet Kaur-led India at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. Following this mouth-watering clash, Nida and Co. will take on Nepal and the UAE on July 21 and 23, respectively.

Pakistan squad for Women's Asia Cup:

Nida Dar (C), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan