Sadia Iqbal aims to perform well in her maiden bilateral series in Bangladesh

 

 

Sadia Iqbal aims to perform well in her maiden bilateral series in Bangladesh

Chattogram, 22 October 2023:

 

Pakistan women’s cricket team arrived in Bangladesh on Friday night, and after a day’s rest had their first practice session at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram on Sunday afternoon.

The 15-member squad led by all-rounder Nida Dar, will feature in a three-match T20I series and three ODIs from 25 October to 10 November. The series against hosts Bangladesh will begin with the three T20Is, taking place at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chattogram on 25, 27 and 29 October. This will be followed by three ODIs, part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. The ODIs will be played at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka on 4, 7 and 10 November.

Before the T20I series, the tourists will play a T20 match tomorrow against BCB XI. This match will be played at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram from 2pm local time.

Pakistan, who are placed eighth in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, whitewashed fifth-ranked South Africa last month at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi and will be eying to repeat the same performance against Bangladesh, who are placed on the ninth position in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings.

One of the main contributors for Pakistan women’s team in T20I series win over South Africa was left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal. 28-year-old Sadia bagged four wickets at an economy rate of 5.75 across the three matches. Sadia is also currently ranked 10th in the ICC Women’s T20I bowlers’ rankings.

Sadia, who made her T20I debut against Bangladesh in Lahore in 2019, made her presence felt in her career’s second T20I, taking three wickets for 19 runs in four overs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

She is all set to play her first bilateral series against Bangladesh in their backyard. Speaking to PCB Digital, Sadia said, “The training session today was all about adapting to the conditions here as soon as possible. We also have a T20 match tomorrow; it will help us to know how to bowl on the wickets here and provide an opportunity for us to fine-tune our skills and give our best in the upcoming T20I series.

“We know Bangladesh is a formidable opponent in their own backyard, and we respect their capabilities. I know the fans here are very passionate about the game and the players from both sides are eager to showcase their skills in front of them.

“I had a good outing in the recent T20I series against South Africa and I am looking forward to performing to the best of my capabilities, which will help my team win matches here.”

 

Pakistan squad:

Nida Dar (captain), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Ghulam Fatima, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar

 

Player support personnel:

Nahida Khan (manager), Mauhtashim Rashid (interim head coach), Saleem Jaffar (bowling coach), Taufiq Umar (batting coach), Muhammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Syed Nazir Ahmed (media manager), Rifat Asghar Gill (physiotherapist) and Zubair Ahmed (analyst)

 

 

Tour schedule:

25 Oct: First T20I at ZACS, Chattogram (Match starts at 4:30pm local time)

27 Oct: Second T20I at ZACS, Chattogram (Match starts at 4:30pm local time)

 

29 Oct: Third T20I at ZACS, Chattogram (Match starts at 4:30pm local time)

04 Nov: First ODI at SBNCS, Mirpur (Match starts at 9:30am local time)

07 Nov: Second ODI at SBNCS, Mirpur (Match starts at 9:30am local time)

10 Nov: Third ODI at SBNCS, Mirpur (Match starts at 9:30am local time)