Key Takeaways
- The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the schedule for a five-match T20 series against South Africa.
- All matches will be held at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, starting from July 14.
- This is the first-ever visit of South Africa’s Women’s Under-19 team to Pakistan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the schedule for a significant five-match T20 series between the Pakistan U19 women's team and their South African counterparts. The matches will take place in Karachi, with all games set to commence at 7 p.m., beginning on July 14 and concluding on July 24.
The National Bank Stadium will host each of the five matches, providing a consistent venue for both teams to prepare and showcase their skills. This series is particularly important as it serves as part of Pakistan’s Women’s Under-19 team's preparation for upcoming tournaments, including the ACC Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup later this year and the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup early next year.
Fizza Fiaz has been named captain of the Pakistan squad, replacing Eman Naseer who was not selected. Fizza demonstrated her leadership qualities by scoring a match-winning half-century in the fourth T20 of their recent series against Bangladesh. The Women's National Selection Committee made six changes to the squad that toured Bangladesh, with Alzoha Hammad, Barirah Saif, Hadia Mina, Mah Noor, Maham Nazakat, and Zainab Khanum receiving call-ups for this upcoming series.
Eleven players from the Bangladesh tour retained their places in the squad. These include Fizza Fiaz, Aqsa Habib, Areesha Ansari, Komal Khan, Mahnoor Zeb, Memoona Khalid, Raahima Syed, Ravail Farhan, Rozina Akram, Shahar Bano, and Zoofishan Ayyaz. The series marks the first-ever visit of South Africa’s Women’s Under-19 team to Pakistan, highlighting the growing importance of international cricket in the country.
The arrival of the South African team is scheduled for July 10, three days before the opening match on July 14. This timing will allow both teams ample time to acclimatize and prepare for the series. The matches are expected to provide valuable experience and exposure for young Pakistani players, contributing significantly to their development.
The PCB’s decision to host this series underscores its commitment to nurturing talent at the U19 level. By organizing such high-profile international fixtures, the board aims to create a robust environment that supports the growth of women's cricket in Pakistan.
