Bismah Maroof to lead Pakistan women team in Asia Cup 2018

KARACHI: Chief Selector Pakistan Women Cricket Team Jalal-ud-Din on Friday announced 15 members squad for Women’s Asia Cup slated to start from 3rd June in Malaysia.

The 15-member squad includes Bismah Maroof (Captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (Batswoman), Bibi Nahida (Batswoman), Jaweria Rauf (Batswoman), Syeda Nain Fatima Abidi (Batswoman), Omaima Sohail (Batswoman/ RAOS), Javeria Wadood (Batswoman), Sidra Nawaz (Wicket-keeper), Nida Rashid (Batswoman/Spin), Kainat Imtiaz (Batswoman/ Medium Fast), Sana Mir (Batswoman/Spin), Nashra Sundhu (LAOS), Anam Amin (LAOS), Natalia Pervaiz (Batswoman/ Medium Fast), Diana Baig (Fast bowler).

Jalal-ud-din said that the team was named keeping in mind the conditions in Malaysia. He said that they have included five spinners (two regular and three part-time) instead of more fast bowlers because there are spin friendly wickets in Malaysia.

The chief selector also told that the team will travel to Malaysia one week before the tournament which he thinks will be an extra time for the girls to get themselves in rhythm.

“We are sending the team before one week just to provide them an opportunity to adjust themselves in a newly elected venue for cricket,” he said.

Former Test cricketer said that he has just started his campaign with the women’s team hence he wants sometime time to get grip on different matters.

He said that the board is trying to pull the things onto the right but need some time to make the things better.

On the question of the replacement of Sana Mir, he said that she is a good player and still performing well so they cannot replace her immediately.

At the same time, he added that they are polishing more young talent and soon they will get capable players to fill in for the senior players after their retirement.

“We are encouraging more young talent to make our bench stronger,” he said.

He further added that in future the Central-contract will only be given to those players who would perform well.

“We are going to set criteria for those players who want to get central contract and they would have to meet that set target,” he said.

Pakistan’s former medium fast bowler said that he wanted his team to give stiff competition to arch-rivals India and that is the only match he is looking forward to.

Pakistan Women will start their campaign taking on Thailand on June 3 while they will lock horns with India on June 9, a day before the final match of the tournament.