Maroof was on maternity leave and will return to the national team after a break of two years for the marquee tournament.
Women’s World Cup
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced Bismah Maroof as the captain of Pakistan for the ICC Women’s World Cup. Maroof was on maternity leave and will return to the national team after a break of two years for the marquee tournament.
The top-order batter had returned to competitive cricket after giving birth to her first child in December 2020. Maroof had confirmed her presence for the Women’s World Cup 2022 last month, which was later confirmed by PCB via a statement.
PCB announced the 15-member Pak women’s squad which includes Maroof as captain, and Nida Dar as her deputy. While the entire squad comprises most of the players involved with the national team off-late. Only Kainat Imtiaz (injury) and Sadia Iqbal have not been included in the squad for the tournament, instead, legspinner Ghulam Fatima and opener Nahida Khan have been named as their replacement.
Nahida has been in good form in domestic cricket of late
“While we have retained the majority of the players who have been on the national duty recently, we have called back Nahida Khan and Ghulam Fatima,” Asmavia Iqbal, chair of the selection committee said.
“Nahida brings with her experience that every team seeks to go into a World Cup and Fatima has had an incredible run in Karachi. She has done well to enhance her fitness and has been in good form in domestic cricket of late” Iqbal added.
The selection committee has named three players: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi, and Tuba Hassan as the reserve for the Women’s World Cup.
Pakistan women’s team will leave for Karachi for a 10-day camp starting January 27, then depart for New Zealand on February 8. They will face India in their opening game of the tournament on March 6 at Bay Oval.
Women’s World Cup (Pakistan women’s squad)
Pakistan squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Nida Dar (vice-captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, and Sidra Nawaz.
Travelling reserves: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi, and Tuba Hassan