Spin-heavy Pakistan squad ready to make a splash
Squad
Aroob Shah (c), Aliza Khan, Anosha Nasir, Areesha Noor, Eyman Fatima, Haleema Azeem Dar, Haniah Ahmer, Laiba Nasir, Mahnoor Aftab, Quratulain Ahsen, Rida Aslam, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Warda Yousaf, Zaib-un-Nisa, Zamina Tahir
Reserves: Aqsa Yousaf, Dina Razvi, Maham Anees, Muskan Abid, Tahzeeb Shah
Schedule
January 15 v Rwanda in Potchefstroom
January 17 v England in Potchefstroom
January 18 v Zimbabwe in Potchefstroom
Key player – Aroob Shah
Pakistan’s captain Aroob Shah has the standout pedigree in the squad and will take a leading role with the ball.
The right-arm leg spinner turned 19 on New Year’s Eve and will bring a relative wealth of experience to the tournament.
First capped by Pakistan at the age of just 15, Shah has made seven appearances for the senior Pakistan women’s team across the white-ball formats, making her ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2019 and her T20I debut against England later that same year.
Her talent saw her shortlisted for Emerging Cricketer of the Year in the 2020 PCB Awards, and she already has major tournament experience courtesy of her place in the Pakistan squad at the 2020 T20 World Cup, where she featured twice in the group stage.
The talented spinner is unlikely to provide much with the bat if her minimal returns to date in international and List A cricket are anything to go by. But with the ball she will play a key role for Pakistan.
Expectations:
Pakistan will hope to gel on their first official appearance as a women’s U19 team during the warm-up fixtures, with skipper Aroob Shah and coach Mohsin Kamal tasked with maximising the talent of an inexperienced group of players.
Shah is one of a number of spinners selected in a squad that will test opponents’ ability against the turning ball.
Progression out of Group B will be the minimum aim for the traveling party, with the Super Six stage likely to be a major test if they reach the second face of the tournament.
Good luck to the Pakistan Women's U19 team as they depart to South Africa for the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2023 👍#BackOurGirls | #PakistanFutureStars pic.twitter.com/kLWlNcj3O8
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 6, 2023
Former Pakistan men’s Test player Kamal has been appointed as head coach, while veteran women’s player Asmavia Iqbal was responsible for the selection of the 15-strong squad.
"I am confident that this side has the capability and potential to do well in the mega event,” Iqbal said.
"These players were selected after a rigorous and robust process and I want to congratulate the coaches who have worked tirelessly hard on the skills of the players to get them ready for the event.
"The tournament will also help us to increase our pool of players which will ultimately help in forming a strong and more competitive squad at the senior level."
