Pakistan squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 announced; Nida Dar removed from captaincy
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Pakistan have announced the squad for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which will be played in the month of October. The squad has sprung a huge surprise as regular captain Nida Dar has been removed from the role with immediate effect.
Young allrounder Fatima Sana has been named as the new captain of Pakistan Women's side for the tournament. The decision to rwplace Nida Dar as captain has come just before the big tournament, which further raises eyeballs.
However, Pakistan's recent performances under Nida Dar have been poor. They lost to Sri Lanka for the second successive time in the Asia Cup semi-finals to bow out of the tournament. It will be a tough job for the young Fatima to lift the team for the big tournament coming ahead.
Pakistan announce squad for Women's T20 World Cup 2024
The squad has a lot of inexperienced players who haven't played at this level before. It is a young squad which is capable of surprising any team on its day. The presence of Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, and Omaima Sohail brings some experience which will be helpful for the team.
Fatima Sana will lead the 15-member squad. Despite being just 22 years of age, Fatima Sana has a fair amount of experience at the international level. She has played 41 ODIs and 40 T20Is so far.
Pakistan has announced the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 which will now be held in UAE.
— PakPassion.net (@PakPassion) August 25, 2024
Fatima Sana will captain the side, while joined by a new sensation in the pace bowling battery, Tasmia Rubab in the squad.#T20WorldCup | #Cricket | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/Vll5HFCWYG
The selectors have made just one change from the Asia Cup 2024 squad that played in Sri Lanka last month. Sadaf Shamas, the right-handed batter has come back into the squad replacing the wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, who will travel as a reserve player for the tournament. Shamas was also a part of Pakistan's squad for T20 World Cup 2023.
One change from Women's Asia Cup 2024
Left-arm seamer Tasmia Rubab has also made it to the 15-member squad. Rubab's inclusion is crucial for Pakistan as they now have an X-factor in the form of a left-arm pacer. However, it remains to be seen if she gets an opportunity to play in her first T20 World Cup or not.
Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas, who was also part of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa, has made a comeback in the squad in place of wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, who will travel with the side as a reserve player. Experienced left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has been included in the squad but her participation is subject to fitness.
Although Nida Dar is not the captain of the side, her role with both and ball will be crucial. Nida Dar has contributed heavily to Pakistan cricket over the years.
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 was scheduled to be held in Bangladesh earlier but the country's recent political turmoil forced the ICC to stage the event outside the country. Ultimately, it was decided that the tournament would be held in the UAE, although, the dates are yet to be finalized by the board.
Pakistan squad for Women's T20 World Cup 2024
Fatima Sana (C), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan
