Pakistan Announces 15-Member Squad for ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, Led by Fatima Sana
Pakistan has unveiled its 15-member women’s cricket squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, with all-rounder Fatima Sana named as captain. The squad will also represent Pakistan in a three-match ODI series against South Africa to be held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the World Cup, providing the team with crucial match practice.
Uncapped batter Eyman Fatima, who recently debuted for Pakistan in T20 Internationals, has earned a spot in the ODI side. Captain Fatima Sana, an experienced player who participated in the previous World Cup, will be leading Pakistan at a senior world event for the first time, following her successful stint as skipper during the qualifying tournament in Lahore earlier this year, where Pakistan remained unbeaten to secure their World Cup berth.
The World Cup group-stage fixtures will see Pakistan play at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. If Pakistan advances, both the semi-final and final will also take place at this venue.
Six players are poised for their first-ever appearance in the ODI World Cup: Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Syeda Aroob Shah. Among them, Aroob Shah, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Eyman Fatima previously gained international experience at the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa last year.
The selectors have introduced two changes from the squad that competed in the World Cup Qualifier. Eyman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas replace Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who join Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar as non-traveling reserves.
Preparations for the World Cup and the South Africa ODI series will begin with a 14-day training camp in Lahore, where the squad and reserves will undergo practice matches and training sessions under head coach Muhammad Wasim and his support staff. Additional details about the camp are expected soon.
Pakistan’s series against South Africa will help fine-tune the squad before the World Cup, with matches scheduled at Gaddafi Stadium. South Africa’s team is set to arrive in Lahore shortly before the series.
The confirmed 15-member squad includes Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah. The reserves are Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.
Pakistan’s group-stage opponents at the World Cup are Bangladesh, India, Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and host Sri Lanka. The matches will all be played in Colombo.
Key support staff for the squad includes manager Hina Munawar, head coach Muhammad Wasim, and a team of assistant coaches, analysts, and medical professionals.
The build-up ODI series against South Africa and the subsequent World Cup campaign mark significant opportunities for Pakistan’s women cricketers to showcase their talent on the international stage.
