Fatima Sana to Lead Pakistan in ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025; Uncapped Eyman Fatima Included

Sports Desk

Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, scheduled from 30 September to 2 November in India and Sri Lanka. The same squad will also feature in the three-match ODI series against South Africa in Lahore from 16 to 22 September.

For the first time in her career, Fatima Sana will captain Pakistan in a Women’s ODI World Cup. The 23-year-old all-rounder previously led Pakistan in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier earlier this year, guiding her team to a 100% win record to secure qualification.

The squad includes uncapped 20-year-old right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who made her T20I debut against Ireland earlier this year. She, alongside young talents Shawaal Zulfiqar and Syeda Aroob Shah, had earlier represented Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa.

Six players – Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Syeda Aroob Shah – are set to make their maiden ODI World Cup appearances.

The squad sees two changes from the qualifiers: Eyman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas replace Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named in the five-member non-travelling reserves alongside Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

A 14-day pre-series camp will begin on 29 August, where players will undergo practice sessions and 50-over matches under head coach Muhammad Wasim.

Pakistan’s World Cup Schedule (All Matches in Colombo, 3pm local time):

• 2 October – vs Bangladesh
• 5 October – vs India
• 8 October – vs Australia
• 15 October – vs England
• 18 October – vs New Zealand
• 21 October – vs South Africa
• 24 October – vs Sri Lanka
• Semi-final (if qualified) – 29 October
• Final – 2 November

Pakistan v South Africa Women’s ODI Series (All at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore):

• 16 September – First ODI
• 19 September – Second ODI
• 22 September – Third ODI

15-member squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali (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 (wk), Syeda Aroob Shah

Non-travelling reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar