Pakistan Announces Squad for Women’s Cricket ODI World Cup 2025

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled its 15-member squad for the highly anticipated Women’s Cricket ODI World Cup 2025, set to be held from September 30 to November 2. The tournament will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan scheduled to play all of its fixtures in Sri Lanka. The announcement marks the beginning of Pakistan’s preparations for one of the most significant events in women’s cricket.

Preparations Ahead of the World Cup

Before stepping onto the global stage, the Pakistan women’s team will fine-tune its skills in a three-match ODI series against South Africa. This preparatory series will be crucial for testing combinations, evaluating form, and providing match practice under international conditions. The series is also expected to help players acclimatize to the competition pressure before the World Cup.

Fresh Faces Set for World Cup Debut

One of the highlights of the squad announcement is the inclusion of several promising players who will make their World Cup debuts. Among them are Natalia Parvez, Ramin Shamim, Sadaf Shams, Sadia Iqbal, Shawal Zulfiqar, and Syeda Aroob Shah. These young cricketers represent the next generation of Pakistan women’s cricket and bring fresh energy and talent to the side. Their performances in domestic cricket and recent international outings have impressed selectors, earning them a place on the global stage.

Changes from the Qualifiers Squad

The selectors have made two changes from the squad that competed in the ICC World Cup Qualifiers. Wicketkeeper-batter Gul Feroza and all-rounder Najiha Alvi have been left out of the main squad but have been named among the reserves. The decision reflects the selectors’ desire to strike a balance between experienced campaigners and emerging players capable of handling the high-pressure environment of a World Cup.

Leadership and Experience

All-rounder Fatima Sana has been entrusted with the captaincy, a role she has grown into over the past year. Her leadership qualities, combined with her ability to contribute with both bat and ball, make her central to Pakistan’s campaign. Supporting her are seasoned players such as Sidra Amin, Diana Baig, Alia Riaz, and Omaima Sohail, who bring valuable experience and stability to the team.

The inclusion of reliable performers like Nashra Sindhu and Muniba Ali Siddiqui ensures Pakistan has strength in both bowling and batting departments. Together, this mix of youth and experience offers Pakistan the flexibility to adapt to varying conditions in Sri Lanka.

The Complete Squad

Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the Women’s Cricket ODI World Cup 2025 is as follows:

• Fatima Sana (captain)
• Muniba Ali Siddiqui
• Alia Riaz
• Diana Baig
• Iman Fatima
• Nashra Sindhu
• Natalia Parvez
• Omaima Sohail
• Ramin Shamim
• Sadaf Shams
• Sadia Iqbal
• Shawal Zulfiqar
• Sidra Amin
• Sidra Nawaz
• Syeda Aroob Shah

Reserves: Gul Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umme Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.

Building Momentum in Women’s Cricket

The announcement of the squad highlights the PCB’s commitment to building momentum in women’s cricket by investing in emerging talent while maintaining a solid core of experienced players. Pakistan’s women’s cricket team has steadily progressed in recent years, and the 2025 World Cup provides an opportunity to showcase its development on the international stage.

With the World Cup being co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the conditions are expected to be spin-friendly, which could favor Pakistan’s bowling unit. The selectors’ decision to include multiple spinners, including Nashra Sindhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Syeda Aroob Shah, underlines their strategy to exploit these conditions.

Reserves Ready for Opportunities

While Gul Feroza and Najiha Alvi miss out on the main squad, their inclusion in the reserves keeps them in close contention. Alongside them, Tuba Hassan, Umme Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar are also on standby, ensuring Pakistan has reliable backups should the need arise during the tournament. The reserves will train with the main squad, providing additional depth and competition for spots.