PCB reveal schedule for Pakistan, South Africa women’s T20I series

The women’s cricket teams of Pakistan and South Africa are set to face off in a three-match T20I series at the Multan Cricket Stadium. This series will serve as preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the UAE next month.

The South African team is scheduled to arrive in Multan on 13 September. The matches will take place on 16, 18, and 20 September. The first two matches will be evening games, starting at 7 PM, while the final match will begin at 10 AM. These timings are set to ensure live broadcasts and maximum exposure for women’s cricket.

Following the series, the South African team will depart for the UAE on 21 September, while Pakistan will leave on 23 September. Pakistan is placed in Group A for the T20 World Cup, alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. South Africa is in Group B, competing against Bangladesh, England, Scotland, and the West Indies.

Before the World Cup, Pakistan will play warm-up matches against Scotland on 28 September and Bangladesh on 30 September. Their World Cup campaign begins on 3 October against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, followed by matches against India, Australia, and New Zealand in Dubai.

The Pakistan squad includes Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, and Tuba Hassan. Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper, traveling reserve), along with non-traveling reserves Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani, will participate in the pre-series training camp and the series in Multan. Najiha will join the team in the UAE.

The Pakistan women’s training camp will begin on 1 September at the Multan Cricket Stadium to prepare for both the home series and the upcoming World Cup.

The support staff for the training camp, the series against South Africa, and the T20 World Cup includes: Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach – bowling), Hanif Malik (assistant coach – fielding), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Imran Khalil (strength and conditioning coach), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager), Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist), and Waleed Ahmed (analyst).

Schedule of matches:

16 Sep – 1st T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7pm start)
18 Sep – 2nd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7pm start)
20 Sep – 3rd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (10am start)