Sadaf Shamas is out of the Pakistan women’s team for the T20I series against Ireland. She got a left quadriceps tear while practicing in Karachi. Shawaal Zulfiqar will replace her in the 15-member team.
Zulfiqar, 20, last played a T20I in December 2023. She was out with a shoulder injury but played in the Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifier in Lahore. She will be in Belfast on August 3, before the series starts on August 6.
This is a good opportunity for Zulfiqar who was in Pakistan’s skills camp last month. She didn’t score much in the Qualifier games (8 runs in 2 games). But her domestic form and past experience makes her a good addition to Fatima Sana’s team.
Eyman Fatima, another 20-year-old batter, is also in the team after playing well in the National T20 tournament. Pakistan is still trying to mix young players with experienced ones as they prepare for future ICC events.
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Ireland Series Important for World Cup Prep
The three T20Is in Belfast are a warm-up for next year’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan hopes Zulfiqar can stabilize the top order and Fatima can have some good games to help the team cope with Shamas’ absence.
This is bad timing for Pakistan women’s cricket but recalling Zulfiqar shows the team is getting stronger as they head into this important away series.
Pakistan’s team for Ireland T20Is:
Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan, Waheeda Akhtar
