Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team prepares to clash with New Zealand in the opening match of the three-match T20 International (T20I) series on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at the University of Otago Oval in Dunedin.
The T20I series, consisting of three matches, will see the second encounter at the same venue on Tuesday, with the final match scheduled at the Sir John Davies Oval in Queenstown on Saturday, Dec 9. All matches are set to commence at 1300 local time.
Having arrived in New Zealand on November 25, the Pakistani women’s team underwent rigorous training sessions and practice games in Christchurch before making their way to Dunedin on Friday afternoon. The team, under the supervision of coaching staff, engaged in a three-hour training session on Saturday at the University of Otago Oval, fine-tuning their skills and strategies for the upcoming series.
New Zealand, boasting a 100% winning record against Pakistan women in eight previous head-to-head encounters, is currently a formidable opponent. Pakistani left-arm spinners Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal hold the fifth and seventh positions, respectively, in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, and they are determined to contribute significantly to their team’s performance in the series.
Nashra Sundhu is on the brink of completing 50 T20I appearances for Pakistan, adding an element of experience to the squad. In the all-rounder category, Captain Nida Dar holds the fifth position in the ICC T20I rankings, further emphasizing Pakistan’s talent and capability.
Speaking to PCB Digital on the eve of the T20I series, Captain Nida Dar expressed her optimism and confidence in the team’s abilities. “New Zealand is known for their cricketing excellence, and we respect that. However, we are here to compete, and I have faith in the players who can do well for the team in the series,” she stated.
Dar sees the T20I series as an opportunity for the players to showcase their skills against one of the world’s most formidable sides. With an eye on the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year, she emphasized the significance of the series in shaping the team’s composition and strategy.
“The series against New Zealand allows us to assess our strengths and areas of improvement. It’s a valuable experience, and I am sure the players have now got a good idea of the conditions here after playing practice matches and also undergoing training sessions,” Dar added.
The Pakistan Women’s Cricket Team, led by Captain Nida Dar, comprises a talented squad featuring players like Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, and others. The series against New Zealand promises riveting cricket action as both teams vie for supremacy in the T20 format.
Pakistan Squad: Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.
Series Schedule:
• Dec 3 – 1st T20I, Dunedin (1 pm local time)
• Dec 5 – 2nd T20I, Dunedin (1 pm local time)
• Dec 9 – 3rd T20I, Queenstown (1 pm local time)
• Dec 12 – 1st ODI, Queenstown (11 am local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)
• Dec 15 – 2nd ODI, Christchurch (2 pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)
• Dec 18 – 3rd ODI, Christchurch (2 pm local time) (ICC Women’s Championship)
