Fatima Sana to Captain Pakistan in Women’s World Cup 2025

Pakistan will march into this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup under fresh leadership, as all-rounder Fatima Sana has been appointed captain of the 15-member squad announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday. The highly anticipated tournament, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, will see Pakistan play all of their matches in Colombo under the hybrid model agreed upon earlier this year. With India unwilling to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, Dubai was chosen as a neutral venue for India’s fixtures, while Sri Lanka was picked as the host city for Pakistan’s group games.

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For Fatima Sana, who represented Pakistan in the previous edition of the World Cup, the announcement marks a special milestone. The 23-year-old will lead the team in an ODI World Cup for the first time, having previously captained Pakistan in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier held in Lahore earlier this year. Under her leadership, Pakistan delivered a flawless campaign, winning every match and sealing qualification with confidence. Now, as captain of the senior side on the world stage, she faces the dual challenge of leading a relatively young squad while competing against some of the toughest teams in women’s cricket.

The squad announcement brought good news for uncapped right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who recently debuted in T20Is against Ireland and has now been given the opportunity to prove herself in the 50-over format. Alongside her, six players will be making their maiden appearance at an ODI World Cup, reflecting Pakistan’s strategy of investing in youth while blending experience into the squad. Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Syeda Aroob Shah will all feature in a World Cup for the first time. This young core, some of whom also represented Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in 2023, underscores the growing depth in Pakistan’s women’s cricket system.

Among the fresh faces, 21-year-old Aroob, 20-year-old Shawaal, and 20-year-old Eyman stand out as representatives of the next generation, having already gained valuable exposure in global competitions. With senior players like Muneeba Ali, Diana Baig, Sidra Amin, and Aliya Riaz providing stability, the balance of youth and experience could prove vital in navigating the challenges of a long tournament.

There were also notable changes from the squad that featured in the qualifiers earlier this year. Eyman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas have been drafted in, replacing Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi. Both, however, have been named among the five non-traveling reserves alongside Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar. This ensures Pakistan has a broader pool to draw from if needed, while also rewarding consistent performers who narrowly missed the cut.

The squad will assemble for a 14-day pre-tournament training camp beginning August 29, just ahead of Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against South Africa at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from September 16 to 22. Led by head coach Muhammad Wasim, the players will undergo intensive training sessions, including 50-over match simulations designed to prepare them for World Cup conditions. South Africa’s women’s side arrives in Lahore on September 12, setting the stage for what promises to be a competitive build-up series before the World Cup.

In addition to announcing the squad, PCB also revealed the support staff accompanying the team. With specialists in coaching, fitness, physiotherapy, and analysis, the setup highlights Pakistan’s commitment to ensuring their women’s team receives the resources and preparation required to compete at the highest level.

Pakistan became the fourth team to confirm its World Cup squad after Bangladesh, England, and India made their announcements earlier this month. With the countdown to September already underway, Pakistan enters the tournament with cautious optimism. Fatima Sana’s leadership, coupled with the energy of several debutants and the experience of seasoned campaigners, offers hope that the team can build momentum in Colombo and make a strong impression on the global stage.