KEY POINTS
- Fatima Sana to captain the side for the first time in an ODI World Cup
- Uncapped 20-year-old Eyman Fatima also part of Pakistan’s squad
- Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah set for maiden ODI World Cup appearances
- 15-member squad to take part in three-match ODI series against South Africa in Lahore
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, naming all-rounder Fatima Sana as captain for the tournament scheduled from 30 September to 2 November in India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan will play all their matches at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo under the “hybrid model” agreed earlier this year after India declined to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Under the arrangement, India’s matches will be staged in Dubai, while Pakistan will remain in Sri Lanka throughout the tournament.
Uncapped right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland, has been included in the squad.
The PCB said in a statement that Fatima Sana, who featured in the last edition of the World Cup, would lead Pakistan in a major ICC event for the first time.
The 23-year-old earlier captained Pakistan in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier in Lahore this year, guiding the team to a 100 per cent win record to secure qualification.
📢 Presenting Pakistan's squad for the ICC Women's World Cup 2025 🇵🇰
More details ➡️ https://t.co/rStsdE2K43#BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/MKAjLs5wx5
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 25, 2025
Six players are set to make their ODI World Cup debuts: Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar and Syeda Aroob Shah. Additionally, 21-year-old Aroob, 20-year-old Shawaal and 20-year-old Eyman all previously represented Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023.
The PCB confirmed two changes from the squad that played in the CWC Qualifier. Eyman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas replace Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named among the five non-travelling reserves along with Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.
Ahead of the World Cup, Pakistan will host South Africa for a three-match ODI series at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from 16 to 22 September.
The same 15-member squad will feature in the series, which will serve as vital preparation.
A 14-day training camp will begin on 29 August under the supervision of head coach Muhammad Wasim, including practice sessions and 50-over warm-up matches. South Africa’s women’s team is expected to arrive in Lahore on 12 September.
Pakistan’s group-stage fixtures in Colombo include matches against Bangladesh (2 October), India (5 October), Australia (8 October), England (15 October), New Zealand (18 October), South Africa (21 October) and Sri Lanka (24 October).
If Pakistan qualify, the semi-final and final on 29 October and 2 November will also be staged in Colombo.
Pakistan’s 15-member squad
Pakistan’s 15-member squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), Syeda Aroob Shah.
Non-travelling reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.
