Pakistan, South Africa Women’s T20I Series Begins Tuesday

Lahore: (Web Desk) – Pakistan Women will take on South Africa in a three-match T20I series starting Tuesday, 10 February, marking their first bilateral women’s tour of South Africa since 2021.

All three matches will be played under lights on 10, 13 and 16 February, with each game scheduled to begin at 9:00pm Pakistan Standard Time. Fans in Pakistan will be able to watch the series live on A Sports and SuperSport.

The 15-member Pakistan squad will be led by all-rounder Fatima Sana, while South Africa will be captained by Laura Wolvaardt. Ahead of the series, Pakistan completed a week-long preparation camp in Karachi featuring intensive practice sessions and scenario-based matches.

The tour could see the international debut of two uncapped pacers, Humna Bilal and Tasmia Rubab, both of whom have been included in the squad after impressive domestic performances.

Breakthrough Likely on Pakistan India T20 World Cup Match

The series holds added significance as both teams gear up for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, scheduled to be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July.

In head-to-head T20Is, South Africa hold an advantage over Pakistan across 24 encounters. However, Pakistan will draw confidence from their emphatic 3-0 series whitewash against South Africa in Karachi in 2023.

Among the current squad, Aliya Riaz has been Pakistan’s most prolific batter against South Africa, scoring 321 runs in 15 T20Is at a strike rate of 122.98. In bowling, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has taken 10 wickets in six matches at an economy rate of 6.66.

Speaking to PCB Digital, captain Fatima Sana said the team has focused on playing fearless cricket and adapting quickly to South African conditions. She added that the pace and bounce in the wickets have been encouraging for both batters and fast bowlers, calling the tour an ideal challenge ahead of the World Cup.