The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Fatima Sana will captain the national women’s Twenty20 team in the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
This announcement came as the PCB unveiled the squad for the tournament, which is set to begin in October.
The Women’s T20 World Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3 to October 20. Originally scheduled in Bangladesh, the event has been moved to the UAE due to political instability in Bangladesh.
In today’s announcement, the PCB confirmed that Fatima Sana, a bowling all-rounder, will lead the team, replacing the experienced Nida Dar, who has played 112 ODIs and 153 T20Is.
“Fatima Sana has been named captain of the Pakistan women’s cricket team for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the United Arab Emirates from 3 to 20 October. The decision was unanimously made by the women’s national selection committee,” the PCB stated in a press release.
The 22-year-old Fatima Sana, who has participated in 41 ODIs and 40 T20Is, has previously led Pakistan’s emerging and domestic sides. She also captained the Pakistan team to a notable ODI victory against New Zealand in a Super Over at Hagley Oval, Christchurch, in December 2023.
From the 2023 squad, 10 players—Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, and Tuba Hassan—have been retained, while uncapped left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab has been included in the final 15. Left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal’s inclusion is subject to fitness.
The squad features only one change from the team that competed in the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, with Sadaf Shams returning to replace Najiha Alvi.
Pakistan squad:
Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, and Tuba Hassan.
Traveling reserve:
Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper).
Non-traveling reserves:
Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani.
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