Women's T20 World Cup 2024: New Captain Appointed as Pakistan Announce Squad For Show-Piece Tournament

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Fatima Sana was appointed the new captain as Pakistan on Sunday (August 25) announced their squad for the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 3 to 20.

The 22-year-old Fatima takes over from Nida Dar, who is also being retained as part of the squad. The decision to name a new skipper was unanimously made by the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) Women's national selection committee.

Fatima, a bowling all-rounder with 31 T20I wickets at an average of 30.09, also has 215 runs in the shortest format at a strike rate of just over 100. She has previously led Pakistan Emerging and domestic sides.

Fatime also captained Pakistan women to a famous ODI win against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, Christchurch, in December 2023. She takes over the captaincy from Nida, who had been named captain in all three formats, replacing Bismah Maroof.

In the other change to the squad that featured in the recently concluded Women's Asia Cup, Pakistan has recalled right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas, who was a part of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa.

While Sadaf makes a comeback in place of wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, who will travel to UAE as a reserve player, the selection committee has included left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal subject to fitness, and also named Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani as non-travelling reserves.

10 players from the 2023 edition of the T20 World Cup, including Aliya Riaz, Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin and Tuba Hassan have been retained their spots for the upcoming edition.

Uncapped left-arm pacer Tasmia Rubab alongside likes of Diana Baig, Iram Javed, Syeda Aroob Shah and Gull Feroza make it to the final 15. Here is a look at Pakistan women's T20 World Cup 2024 squad:

Pakistan squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024

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, Tuba Hassan. Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper). Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani.

Pakistan has been clubbed with Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Group A. The fixtures for the tournament originally scheduled to be held in Bangladesh is expected to be announced soon, but the last for the squad submission will be a month ahead of the tournament.