Lahore: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled the 15-member national women’s cricket squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place from September 30 to November 2 in India and Sri Lanka. The announcement marks an important step for Pakistan women’s cricket, as several young players have been given opportunities to represent the country on the global stage, while experienced campaigners will provide leadership and balance to the squad.
Fatima Sana to Lead Pakistan for the First Time in a World Cup
One of the most significant highlights of this announcement is the appointment of Fatima Sana as the team’s captain. Known for her exceptional bowling skills and growing leadership qualities, Fatima will be captaining Pakistan in a World Cup for the very first time.
Fatima’s rise in women’s cricket has been inspiring. Since making her international debut in 2019, she has quickly established herself as one of Pakistan’s leading all-rounders. She was awarded the ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2021, a recognition that underscored her growing impact on the international stage. At just 23 years old, she now shoulders the responsibility of leading Pakistan in one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s cricket.
New Faces in the Squad – Fresh Talent for the Global Stage
The PCB has made a conscious effort to inject fresh energy into the team by including several debutants for the ODI World Cup. These players have impressed selectors through consistent performances in domestic cricket and age-group tournaments:
- Iman Fatima – Included in the squad for the first time, she brings promising batting talent.
- Natalia Pervez – Known for her agility in the field and potential as a middle-order batter.
- Ramin Shamim – A spinner who has been on the selectors’ radar for some time.
- Sadaf Shams – Another new entrant, expected to strengthen the batting lineup.
- Sadia Iqbal – A left-arm orthodox spinner who has made waves in domestic circuits.
- Shawal Zulfiqar – A young batter recognized for her fearless stroke play.
- Syeda Arob Shah – One of the youngest players in the squad, highly rated for her bowling skills.
For these cricketers, the 2025 Women’s World Cup provides a golden opportunity to showcase their talent on the international stage and secure long-term places in the national side.
Experienced Players to Anchor the Team
While the inclusion of fresh talent is exciting, Pakistan’s squad also features experienced campaigners who will provide stability and guidance to the newcomers:
- Muniba Ali Siddiqui – A reliable opening batter and occasional wicketkeeper.
- Alia Riaz – A powerful middle-order batter and part-time bowler known for match-winning contributions.
- Diana Baig – A senior fast bowler with years of international experience.
- Nashra Sindhu – Pakistan’s frontline spinner, capable of troubling batters on slow tracks.
- Umaima Sohail – A dependable all-rounder.
- Sidra Amin – Pakistan’s in-form batter who has delivered consistent ODI performances.
- Sidra Nawaz – The most experienced wicketkeeper in the squad, valued for her leadership and calm presence behind the stumps.
This combination of youth and experience provides Pakistan with a balanced lineup, capable of adapting to different conditions in Sri Lanka, where all their group-stage matches will be played.
Squad Details
Pakistan’s 15-Member World Cup Squad 2025:
- Fatima Sana (captain)
- Muniba Ali Siddiqui
- Alia Riaz
- Diana Baig
- Iman Fatima
- Nashra Sindhu
- Natalia Pervez
- Umaima Sohail
- Ramin Shamim
- Sadaf Shams
- Sadia Iqbal
- Shawal Zulfiqar
- Sidra Amin
- Sidra Nawaz
- Syeda Orub Shah
Non-Traveling Reserves: Gul Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Um Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.
Preparations Before the World Cup – ODI Series Against South Africa
Before heading to the World Cup, Pakistan will host South Africa’s women’s team for a three-match ODI series in Lahore from September 16 to 22. This series is considered crucial preparation, giving Pakistan’s new players valuable international exposure and allowing the management to finalize team strategies.
South Africa is scheduled to arrive in Lahore on September 12, and the series is expected to draw significant attention as both teams will use it as a dress rehearsal for the World Cup.
Tournament Venues – Matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka
The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. However, in a strategic decision by the ICC, all of Pakistan’s World Cup matches will take place in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This decision is significant for several reasons:
- Colombo’s conditions—hot, humid weather and spin-friendly pitches—are expected to suit Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly their spinners.
- Playing all matches at one venue allows Pakistan to settle into familiar conditions, reducing travel fatigue.
- It also provides the new players a stable environment to adjust to World Cup pressure.
The Importance of the 2025 Women’s World Cup
The Women’s Cricket World Cup remains one of the biggest stages for female athletes globally, offering countries the chance to showcase the depth of their talent. For Pakistan, this tournament is not just about winning matches but also about elevating women’s cricket at home.
Historically, Pakistan women’s cricket has struggled to compete with dominant teams like Australia, England, and India. However, recent investments in domestic structures, the Women’s League, and grassroots programs have started to yield results, with more young talent emerging every year.
The 2025 World Cup represents an opportunity for Pakistan to:
- Compete against the world’s best.
- Provide international exposure to rising stars.
- Inspire a new generation of female cricketers back home.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the positive developments, Pakistan faces several challenges in the lead-up to the World Cup:
- Lack of Experience Among Newcomers – With so many debutants, Pakistan’s squad may struggle under World Cup pressure.
- Batting Consistency – Historically, Pakistan’s batting lineup has been inconsistent in international tournaments.
- Facing Strong Teams – Australia, England, and India remain powerhouses in women’s cricket, with far more depth in their squads.
- Fitness and Injuries – Fatigue and injuries remain concerns, particularly for all-rounders like Fatima Sana.
The team management will need to address these challenges through strategic planning, match simulations, and psychological preparation.
Building Momentum – Recent Performances
In recent years, Pakistan’s women’s team has shown flashes of brilliance:
- Victory against strong teams like India in the 2022 Asia Cup proved Pakistan can upset top-ranked opponents.
- Consistent performances by players like Sidra Amin and Fatima Sana have provided hope for future success.
- Domestic cricket tournaments have improved competition levels, giving young cricketers a platform to shine.
These improvements suggest that while Pakistan may not be favorites, they can be dangerous underdogs in the World Cup.
The Growing Popularity of Women’s Cricket in Pakistan
The announcement of the World Cup squad has also sparked excitement among cricket fans in Pakistan. The growth of women’s cricket has been noticeable in recent years, with:
- Increased media coverage of women’s matches.
- The launch of domestic leagues to develop local talent.
- Rising fan support for women cricketers, particularly on social media platforms.
With the World Cup approaching, many hope that this momentum will continue and inspire more girls to take up cricket professionally.
Conclusion – A New Era for Pakistan Women’s Cricket
The 15-member squad announced by the PCB for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 reflects a blend of youth, energy, and experience. With Fatima Sana captaining the side for the first time, Pakistan enters the tournament with fresh leadership and renewed determination.
While challenges remain, the combination of seasoned campaigners like Diana Baig and Sidra Nawaz alongside promising newcomers like Iman Fatima and Syeda Arob Shah offers Pakistan a chance to redefine its standing in international women’s cricket.
As all eyes turn to Colombo this September, Pakistan’s women’s team will be eager to make history, not just by competing but by proving that they can rise to the occasion on the world’s biggest stage.
