New Delhi, 16 August (H.S.): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced its 15-member squads for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games, with pace bowler Fatima Sana named captain for both tournaments.

Fatima had recently missed Pakistan’s T20I series against Sri Lanka because of her participation in The Hundred.

The Women’s Asia Cup will be held in Dubai from August 28 to September 13. Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong, China. Pakistan will begin their campaign against Thailand on September 1, followed by a high-profile clash against India on September 5. Their final group-stage match will be against Hong Kong, China, on September 7.

The semi-finals are scheduled for September 10 and 11, with the final to be played on September 13.

Fatima to lead Pakistan at Asian Games too

Fatima Sana will also lead Pakistan at the Asian Games in Japan. The cricket competition is scheduled to begin on September 17 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi. Pakistan will face Thailand in the quarter-finals on September 17, while the semi-finals will be held on September 20. The bronze-medal and gold-medal matches are scheduled for September 22.

Pakistan’s women’s cricket team previously won gold medals at the 2010 and 2014 Asian Games. However, they finished fourth at the 2022 edition.

Pakistan squad for Women’s Asia Cup

Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Nasir, Eman Fatima, Gul Feroza, Moma Riyasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Yousuf, Syra Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

Pakistan squad for Asian Games

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Nasir, Eman Fatima, Gul Feroza, Huma Bilal, Moma Riyasat, Muneeba Ali (wicketkeeper), Nashra Sandhu, Syra Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmiya Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar