ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan women’s team is set to depart from Christchurch to Dunedin tomorrow (Friday) for their upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand.
The T20I series, scheduled from December 3 to 9 in Dunedin and Queenstown, will be followed by three ODIs as part of the ICC Women’s Championship, taking place in Queenstown and Christchurch from December 12 to 18, as per a press release.
Since their arrival in Christchurch, the 17-member squad, led by captain Nida Dar, engaged in two practice sessions and participated in two practice games against New Zealand XI.
In a 50-over practice match at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln University, the Pakistan women’s team secured a 57-run victory over the New Zealand XI, with captain Nida’s four wickets and a crucial 38 runs from wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi in the lower order.
In the T20 match held at the same venue, New Zealand XI emerged victorious with a 28-run win over the Pakistan women’s team. New Zealand XI posted 168 for seven in 20 overs, with Georgia Plimmer contributing 52 runs. Pakistan’s spinners Nida and Nashra Sundhu took two wickets each, while fast bowler Waheeda Akhtar secured two wickets.
In response, opener Muneeba Ali top-scored for Pakistan with a 31-ball 32, but the team scored 140 for eight in 20 overs. For the New Zealand XI, Kayley Knight and Nensi Patel took three wickets each.
Interim head coach Mauhtashim Rashid, speaking to PCB Digital, expressed satisfaction with the team’s preparations, stating, “We had good practice sessions and practice games here in Christchurch before the start of the series. The conditions here are different, and the players are trying to adapt. These back-to-back matches will help the players achieve that goal.”
Rashid highlighted the inclusion of young players in the T20 match, emphasizing the team’s preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup next year.
He mentioned the plan to provide more opportunities and exposure to young players in New Zealand and Pakistan, hoping they will gain valuable experience from the matches.
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.
The three twenty20s will be played on December 3, 5, and 9, while ODIs will be played on December 12, 15, and 18. —APP
