Pakistan make six changes in the squad ahead of Women's World Cup

The Pakistan Women’s cricket team has made six changes to their squad for the upcoming Women’s World Cup which is scheduled to be played in the United Kingdom in June-July. The team has also appointed a new head coach, in Sabih Azhar who will replace former coach Kabir Khan.

Apart from the change made in the coaching department Pakistan also made as many as six changes to their squad that played the ICC Women’s World Cup qualifiers earlier this year. The Pakistan team concentrated on their bowling attack and improved the same by bringing in quite a few bowling options. They recalled medium pacers Asmavia Iqbal and Kainat Imtiaz and also brought in seam-bowling all-rounders Diana Baig and Marina Iqbal.

Sidra Nawaz who is a wicketkeeper-batter in the Pakistan side had to give the World Cup qualifiers a miss due to a back injury. But she returned to the 15-member squad which would be captained by Sana Mir as she is now back to full fitness.

Waheeda Akhtar who has not played an international match for Pakistan till date is the only new player in the squad while Anam Amin, Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Maham Tariq, Muneeba Ali and Rabiya Shah are the ones who faced the axe.

The Pakistan team missed out on an automatic qualification after they failed to finish in the top four of the ICC women’s championship. But they did well to finish second from their group in the Qualifiers and finished fourth in the super six stage which earned them a spot at the main event.

The elite tournament is scheduled from June 24th to July 23rd with Lord’s being the venue for the final. The Pakistan team are to play West Indies and Australia in warm-up matches before locking horns with South Africa in their opening match on June 25th.

Pakistan Squad:

Sana Mir (C), Ayesha Zafar, Bibi Nahida, Marina Iqbal, Bismah Maroof, Javeria Khan, Syeda Nain Fatima Abidi, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Kainat Imtiaz, Asmavia Iqbal Khokhar, Diana Baig, Waheeda Akhtar, Nashra Sandhu, Ghulam Fatima, Sadia Yousuf. Coach: Sabih Azhar.