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Int'l Cricket Council
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Cricket Council
Pakistan stars gear up for World Cup challenge after Qualifier success
Pakistan made it to the global mega-event, along with second-placed Bangladesh, on the back of a brilliant run in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025. The tournament hosts (ranked ninth in ODI team rankings) secured wins in all five of their fixtures, including against higher-ranked teams like West Indies (sixth) and Bangladesh (eighth). Pakistan veteran Aliya Riaz interviewed senior player Sidra Amin and upcoming star Shawaal Zulfiqar on the PCB podcast recently, where the trio discussed their qualification and how they were looking forward to the World Cup later in the year. 'Appearing in the World Cup is quite a challenge,' Shawaal Zulfiqar said when asked about how she was looking to prepare for the event. 'Big teams appear in it. We've done camps, and we'll continue doing them. So we'll grow and it will be beneficial to us. 'We are hopeful of doing well.' Pakistan players look back at their successful campaign | WCWCQ 2025 The Pakistan players celebrate and reminisce a successful qualification campaign to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 later this year. Senior batter Sidra, who was Pakistan's highest run-getter in the Qualifier with 225 runs, including three fifties, too stressed the importance of preparation and adaptability. 'We'll plan it series by series. The bigger an event, greater the pressure, so we'll work on things we can control," she said. 'We are practising well, we'll bring an improvement on that. We have to adapt ourselves to the kind of wickets we have. 'We expect the games to be in Asian conditions, so we'll have to plan our shots, rotation of strike accordingly.' Fatima Sana removes Hayley Matthews | WCWCQ 2025 Fatima Sana claims the crucial wicket of Hayley Matthews in the Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025. Sidra's success was notable as she came in at No. 3 instead of her usual opening position and credited her coaches for her recent form. 'I always want to go for my shots, but my coaches and those who know my capability well stop me. They say that if I just stay at the crease, that would be good enough for the side. So I credit my coaches and support staff for my success.' Youngster Shawaal had great praise for skipper Fatima Sana's leadership style. Fatima took over Pakistan's T20I captaincy ahead of the Women's T20 World Cup late last year and also led the side during the Qualifier. "She supports us a lot," Shawaal added. "If you perform, she appreciates you. But even if you don't, she'll tell you that you're a good player who will do well. She supports us on the field also. It feels very good, we try to listen to her and apply it to our game. "Because she is in our age group, we easily understand her point. Pakistan join hosts India, Australia, Bangladesh, England, New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka at the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup slated to be held in October and November later this year. ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier, 2025 News Women's News Pakistan Women
Express Tribune
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Fatima Sana to lead Pak in ICC WC Qualifiers
Pakistan women's cricket team must put up an excellent show in WC qualifiers to improve their graph. PHOTO: AFP The PCB's Women's National Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, set to take place from 9 to 19 April at the Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground in Lahore. The squad was selected after the selection committee evaluated players' fitness and form in the ongoing second phase of preparation camp, where the players took part in warm-up matches and practice sessions. Fatima Sana, who has led Pakistan in six T20Is and two ODIs, will continue to lead the women's cricket team in the 50-over event, while Shawaal Zulfiqar makes a comeback to the national side after suffering from a shoulder injury during the tour of New Zealand in December 2023. The six-team ICC event, which includes Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies alongside hosts Pakistan, will feature a single-league round-robin format. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium and LCCA ground will host 15 matches of the event, with Pakistan playing Ireland in the opening match of the competition at the Gaddafi Stadium. On 11 April, Pakistan will play Scotland at the LCCA ground in a day game, while the hosts will take on West Indies in a day-night fixture on 14 April at the Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan will face Thailand in their fourth fixture of the event scheduled on 17 April in a day-night fixture at Gaddafi Stadium, while their final group stage match will be against Bangladesh on 19 April at the LCCA ground, which will be a day match. Squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Peshawar's PSL exhibition match in doubt The upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) exhibition match between Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators is now uncertain after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) raised concerns about the condition of Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar, sources said on Wednesday. The match is scheduled for April 8, 2025, and was planned as part of PCB's efforts to connect with local fans and build excitement before the start of PSL Season 10. However, after a recent inspection, the board's team found several issues at the venue. According to details, the PCB team visited Arbab Niaz Stadium and carefully checked the outfield, pitch, dressing rooms, and media areas. Sources said the team found the pitch and outfield not up to the required standard. They also reported that the dressing rooms lacked basic facilities, and the media and commentary boxes were poorly equipped. The match was expected to offer fans in Peshawar a chance to watch two of the league's top teams, Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators, face off in a thrilling encounter. It was also part of the board's plan to promote cricket in different parts of the country. Peshawar Zalmi's owner, Javed Afridi, has long supported the idea of hosting PSL matches in Peshawar. He previously requested PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to consider Arbab Niaz Stadium as a possible venue for the league's next season. His efforts, along with PCB's initiatives, led to the announcement of this exhibition match, which was expected to create a festive atmosphere among local fans. It is worth mentioning that the 10th edition of the HBL PSL will begin on April 11, 2025. The opening match will feature defending champions Islamabad United against two-time winners Lahore Qalandars at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This year's tournament will include six teams and a total of 34 matches, which will be played from April 11 to May 18. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium will host 13 matches, including both Eliminators and the grand final.
Express Tribune
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pak name squad for Women's World Cup Qualifier
The Women's National Selection Committee announced on Wednesday that all-rounder Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan side for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifiers, set to take place from April 9 to 19. In a statement today, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the selection committee evaluated players' fitness and form in the ongoing second phase of preparation camp, where the players took part in warm-up matches and practice sessions. "Fatima Sana, who has led Pakistan in six T20Is and two ODIs, will continue to lead the women's cricket team in the 50-over event, while Shawaal Zulfiqar makes a comeback to the national side after suffering from a shoulder injury during the tour of New Zealand in December 2023," the statement said. The six-team ICC event, which includes Bangladesh, Ireland, Scotland, Thailand and West Indies alongside hosts Pakistan, will feature a single-league round-robin format. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium and Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) Ground will host 15 matches of the event, with Pakistan playing Ireland in the opening match of the competition at the Gaddafi Stadium. Pakistan will play Scotland at the LCCA ground in a day game on April 11, while the hosts will take on West Indies in a day-night fixture on April 14 at the Gaddafi Stadium, PCB said. Pakistan will face Thailand in their fourth fixture of the event scheduled on April 17 in a day-night fixture at Gaddafi Stadium, while their final group stage match will be against Bangladesh on April 19 at the LCCA ground, which will be a day match. Squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob Shah Reserve players: Ghulam Fatima, Waheeda Akhtar and Umm-e-Hani Pakistan fixtures vs Ireland – 9 April, Gaddafi Stadium (Day) vs Scotland – 11 April, LCCA (Day) vs West Indies – 14 April, Gaddafi Stadium (D/N) vs Thailand – 17 April, Gaddafi Stadium (D/N) vs Bangladesh – 19 April, LCCA (Day)
Express Tribune
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Pakistan announce squad for ICC Women's World Cup qualifiers 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier, set to take place from April 9 to 19 in Lahore. Fast-bowling all-rounder Fatima Sana, who has led Pakistan in six T20Is and two ODIs, will captain the team in the crucial tournament. The squad also sees the return of opener Shawaal Zulfiqar, who has been out since December 2023 due to a shoulder injury. The players were selected based on their fitness and form following a 10-day training camp, which runs until March 30. Pakistan will host the sixth edition of the Women's World Cup Qualifier, with matches played at Gaddafi Stadium and Lahore Cricket Club Association (LCCA) Ground. The tournament features 15 teams, including hosts Pakistan, Bangladesh, West Indies, Ireland, Scotland, and Thailand. Pakistan will open their campaign against Ireland on April 9 at Gaddafi Stadium, while West Indies face Scotland at LCCA the same day. The top two teams at the end of the league stage will secure spots in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup, joining Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and hosts India, who qualified through the ICC Women's Championship (2022–25). Pakistan's Squad for ICC Women's World Cup Qualifier 2025 Captain: Fatima Sana Players: Aliya Riaz, Muneeba Ali, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah.
