Pakistan Set to Host South Africa Women’s Cricket Team for Inaugural Tour
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced that the South Africa women’s cricket team will embark on their first-ever tour of Pakistan. The tour is scheduled to take place from August to September this year, with Karachi being the primary venue for the matches.
Participation in ICC Women’s Championship
During their visit, the South African side will participate in three T20Is and three ODIs as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. This will be a significant milestone for women’s cricket in Pakistan as South Africa joins the ranks of national women’s teams that have toured the country in recent years.
Following in the Footsteps of West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Ireland
South Africa’s tour follows the successful visits of the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Ireland women’s cricket teams. The West Indies women played three T20Is in Karachi in January 2019, while Sri Lanka and Ireland engaged in ODIs and T20Is in Karachi and Lahore in May and November 2022, respectively.
Thrilling Women’s League Exhibition Matches
In March, Rawalpindi hosted three Women’s League Exhibition matches featuring cricketers from seven countries, including three captains. The matches provided a platform for players to showcase their skills and foster camaraderie among teams.
Nida Dar to Lead the Pakistan Team
This upcoming series against South Africa will mark all-rounder Nida Dar’s first time captaining the Pakistan women’s cricket team. With an impressive track record, having played 99 ODIs and 130 T20Is, Nida is one of the most experienced players in the country. She expressed her excitement about the busy season ahead and the opportunity to gain valuable experience and narrow the gap with the top-ranked teams.
Anticipation and Expectations
Nida Dar highlighted the challenge posed by the experienced South African side, emphasizing the need for outstanding performances from the Pakistan team. She expressed her hopes for a memorable series, aiming not only to complete her century of ODIs but also to secure valuable ICC Women’s Championship points and elevate Pakistan’s position in the rankings.
Excitement from the South African Camp
Suné Luus, who captained South Africa in the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 and also featured in the Women’s League Exhibition matches in Rawalpindi, expressed her excitement about returning to Pakistan. She praised the warm hospitality, passionate cricket fans, and friendly atmosphere during her previous visit. Luus acknowledged Pakistan’s competitiveness on their home ground and anticipated an intense and closely contested series.
ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 Schedule
Following the series against South Africa, Pakistan’s women’s cricket team has a packed schedule as part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25. They are set to tour Bangladesh, New Zealand, and host West Indies before embarking on a tour to England. These tours present valuable opportunities for the team to showcase their skills, gain international exposure, and make their mark in women’s cricket.
Published in PakWeb, June 16th, 2023.
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