A new chapter beckons for Pakistan’s women’s cricket team as they set out for their tour of England, steered by the experienced all-rounder Nida Dar at the helm as the new captain. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 17-member squad for the challenging series ahead, which comprises three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
On the heels of a recent white-ball series contest against the West Indies, the team now gears up for tests on English soil. With Bismah Maroof stepping away from international cricket following her retirement and Sidra Nawaz also absent from the roster, the squad looks forward to adapting to these changes and demonstrating resilience as they approach the forthcoming matches.
Despite a series of tough defeats at the hands of the West Indies, where Pakistan’s women conceded both the ODI series (0-3) and the T20I series with the Caribbean side securing a 3-0 lead, the team aims to regroup and put on a strong show in England. The tour begins with the high-intensity T20I series kicking off on May 11, followed by the eagerly anticipated ODI series that commences on May 23. This series forms an integral part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
With the stakes higher than ever, Pakistan occupies the fifth spot on the championship leaderboard, holding 16 points, amid a competitive fray of ten teams. Success in this series could bolster Pakistan’s standing and contribute significantly to earning direct qualification for the 2025 Women’s World Cup—the top five teams plus the host nation, India, secure their spots in the prestigious tournament. The team will arrive in England aiming to affirm their position in the top five through spirited performances.
Preparations for this crucial tour include a strategic set of warm-up matches in England. Pakistan women are slated to face off against the ECB Development XI in a T20 practice game at Grace Road on May 9, prior to engaging in the T20I series. This will be followed by a 50-over warm-up match against the same opposition at Northampton on May 21, serving as a prelude to the ODI series.
The entire schedule for the Pakistan tour of England is precisely outlined, showcasing a calendar of intensely contested matches across various iconic venues. The excitement commences with the first T20I in Birmingham on the 11th of May. The action then moves to Northampton for the second T20I on the 17th, and Leeds plays host to the third T20I on the 19th. The ODI series will see Derby welcome the teams for the opening ODI on the 23rd of May, with the second game taking place in Taunton on the 26th, and the tour concludes in Chelmsford with the third ODI on the 29th.
As Pakistan’s women cricketers embark on this pivotal tour, they carry the expectations and hopes of a nation eager to see them shine on the global stage. With a blend of experience and emerging talent, the squad looks to make an impression under the able leadership of Nida Dar, who embodies the spirit and skill necessary to guide her teammates through the challenges ahead. The cricketing world watches with great anticipation as these athletes prepare to battle it out in one of the sport’s most prestigious realms—the county grounds of England.