Pakistan left-arm spinner Anoosha Nasir and right-handed batter Shawaal Zulfiqar have been rewarded for his or her robust performances within the ICC Below 19 Ladies’s T20 World Cup and Rising Ladies’s Groups Asia Cup with maiden call-ups in Pakistan’s senior ladies’s squad for the Asian Video games in Hangzhou, China.
The 15-player squad additionally options Diana Baig who makes a return to worldwide cricket after recovering from a finger damage that she sustained within the third and closing One-Day Worldwide (ODI) in opposition to Australia in January this yr.
Anticipating the mega ladies’s match, Pakistan captain Nida Dar mentioned: “The Asian Video games have witnessed some extraordinary moments for Pakistan ladies’s cricket, and it is an immense privilege to be a part of that historical past.”
Dar added that she is assured, as a captain, within the skills of her teammates, each the skilled ones and the thrilling younger abilities. “Collectively, we purpose to create extra unforgettable recollections and clinch that third consecutive Gold.”
The skipper spoke concerning the sense of pleasure and dedication inside the crew because it heads in direction of the nineteenth Asian Video games. “We all know the competitors shall be robust, however now we have a robust perception in our abilities and crew spirit.”
Pakistan ladies’s crew which have gained gold medals within the final two editions, held in Guangzhou, China in 2010 and Incheon, South Korea 2014, and shall be aiming for a hat-trick once they characteristic on this yr’s occasion scheduled to happen from September 19 to 26. The occasion shall be performed within the T20 format.
Pakistan ladies’s crew as per the ICC T20I rankings and match rule will characteristic within the occasion from the quarter-finals scheduled to happen from September 22 to 24. The semi-finals shall be performed on September 25, whereas the ultimate will happen on September 26. The match for Bronze medal will even happen on September 26 (Tuesday).
Dar was, nonetheless, “disheartened” at Bismah Maroof’s absence within the squad who will not be out there to affix the crew because of the protocol of the organisers of the Asian Video games prohibiting athletes to hold their kids. Due to this fact, she opted out of the occasion.
“As recognized her for years, I perceive how a lot representing Pakistan means to Bismah,” Dra mentioned.
The captain doted on her “extremely proficient crew and devoted gamers” who, she added, are able to seize the chance and excel on the large stage.
“Every one among us is set to offer our very best and uphold the legacy of Pakistan ladies’s cricket within the Asian Video games,” Dar talked about.
The 15-member squad was finalised after deliberations amongst the ladies’s choice committee led by Saleem Jaffar, head coach Mark Coles and captain Nida Dar.
Earlier than the Asian Video games, Pakistan ladies will characteristic within the house sequence in opposition to South Africa consisting three T20Is and three ODIs (a part of ICC Ladies’s Championship 2022-25) in Karachi from September 1 to 14. The squad for the bilateral sequence shall be introduced in the end.
Ayesha Naseem, who featured within the ICC Ladies’s T20 World Cup, expressed her need to retire from the sport, which the board accepted.
Commenting on the event, Chief Selector Saleem Jaffar mentioned Pakistan’s squad for the Asian Video games represents the way forward for ladies’s cricket within the nation.
“With a mixture of rising expertise and seasoned campaigners, I anticipate the gamers to do effectively within the occasion,” he mentioned.
The previous cricketer maintained that the Asian Video games current a novel alternative for our younger gamers to showcase their expertise on a world stage.
“We now have taken a strategic method to assemble a squad that enhances the circumstances of the venue the place the matches will happen. Every participant’s strengths and flexibility to the taking part in circumstances have additionally been assessed to type a stable squad,” he mentioned.
Tania Mallick, the pinnacle of ladies cricket, mentioned being part of the Asian Video games is an exhilarating expertise for the crew.
“It is not simply concerning the competitors; it is about camaraderie, sportsmanship, and representing the nation with pleasure,” she mentioned, including that the gamers have proven unbelievable dedication and talent, and “now they’ve a golden alternative to make historical past by profitable the coveted title for the third time.”
Mallick termed the absence of Bismah Maroof “unlucky” within the match because of the rules in place. She then went on to increase her needs to Ayesha Naseem for her future as effectively after she introduced to give up cricket for private causes.
“PCB understands and respects her determination to give up the sport for private causes,” Mallick added.
Squad: 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