Pakistans women’s cricket team, led by Nida Dar, is riding high on confidence after a remarkable 3-0 clean sweep against South Africa in the T20I series at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium, held from September 01 to 04.
The excitement continues as the team now gears up for a thrilling three-match ODI series, which also contributes to the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
These ODIs, scheduled for September 8, 11, and 14 at the National Bank Stadium, carry special significance as they mark Nida Dar’s 100th ODI appearance, promising a memorable match.
Nida, the dynamic all-rounder, boasts an impressive track record against South Africa, with 16 ODIs under her belt. She has contributed 246 runs, including three half-centuries, and has taken 18 wickets, with her best performance being 4-15 against the opposition.
Cricket enthusiasts can catch all the action live on PTV Sports/PTV National, and for those in Pakistan, ARY ZAP will provide live streaming. The toss is set for 1500 PST, with the first ball bowled at 1530 PST.
To encourage fans to witness the excitement live, affordable ticket prices are available for these championship matches. Physical tickets will also be on sale at the stadium’s box office on match days.
For the ultimate cricket experience, all VIP enclosures including Fazal Mahmood, Hanif Mohammad, and Javed Miandad will be open for spectators.
With Pakistan currently ranked fourth in the ICC Women’s Championship, having secured 10 points from nine matches, the team aims to maximize their points in the upcoming ODI series. This will mark Pakistan’s third ICC Women’s Championship series on home soil in just over a year.
Last year, they triumphed over Sri Lanka 2-1 in Karachi and later achieved a clean sweep against Ireland in a three-match ODI series in Lahore. However, they faced a 3-0 loss in an away series against Australia in January this year.
On the other side, South Africa, ranked ninth in the ICC Championship 2022-25, have participated in and won their only series in the ICC Women’s Championship to date, defeating Ireland 3-0. They currently hold the third position in ODI rankings, while the host team is ranked 10th.
South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, who was named the player of the series in the T20I series with 157 runs in three matches, aims to maintain her exceptional form in the ODIs.
Pakistan’s hopes rest on key players such as Sidra Amin, Fatima Sana, and Ghulam Fatima, all of whom are prominently featured in the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-2025 statistics for runs and wickets.
Sidra Amin, a right-handed batter, has accumulated 535 runs from nine ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 matches, securing the second spot in the batting charts. She also showcased her skills in the three-match T20I series, amassing 133 runs at an impressive strike rate of 116.67.
In the bowling department, right-arm fast bowler Fatima Sana leads the ICC Women’s Championship table with 16 wickets from nine matches. The 21-year-old aims to make a significant impact in front of the home crowd.
Leg-spinner Ghulam Fatima also contributes to the team’s success, with six ICC Women’s Championship matches under her belt and a total of 12 wickets, including a memorable five-wicket haul against Ireland in Lahore last year.
In head-to-head encounters, Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other in 25 matches. South Africa has emerged victorious in 19 matches, while Pakistan has secured four wins. One match ended in a tie, while another concluded with no result.
The Pakistan ODI squad for the South Africa series includes:
Nida Dar (c)
Aliya Riaz
Bismah Maroof
Diana Baig
Fatima Sana
Ghulam Fatima
Muneeba Ali
Nashra Sundhu
Omaima Sohail
Sadaf Shamas
Sadia Iqbal
Shawaal Zulfiqar
Sidra Amin
Sidra Nawaz (wk)
Umm-e-Hani
Waheeda Akhtar
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