On Sunday, Pakistan named their squad for the upcoming 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, with Fatima Sana replacing Nida Dar as captain of the side.
Nida was named as Pakistan's all-format captain in April 2023 after Bismah Maroof stepped down following Pakistan's poor showing at last year's T20 World Cup. In that tournament, Pakistan exited the group stage after winning just one of their four matches, against Ireland.
But now, just over a year after taking over, Nida has been replaced by Fatima Sana. She led Pakistan in 23 T20Is and 13 ODIs during her time in charge, winning nine and two matches in the respective formats. An all-format regular for Pakistan, Nida has been a fixture of the side for over a decade now, with 265 international matches under her belt.
Fatima has led Pakistan in just two matches so far, both in the ODI format against New Zealand in December 2023. The 22-year-old pace bowling all-rounder made her international debut at the age of 18 in 2019, and has played 81 internationals so far.
.@imfatimasana named Pakistan captain for ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 🚨
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 25, 2024
Our squad for the marquee event 🇵🇰#BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/NWoF6RmyVH
It is unclear at this point why Pakistan decided to move on from Nida, especially for a World Cup. While she is 36, the decision to switch captains for a major tournament is not one many teams would choose to do. Nida did lead Pakistan to the Asia Cup semifinal earlier this year, where they narrowly lost to eventual winners Sri Lanka.
Leg-spinning duo Syeda Aroob Shah and Tuba Hassan have both made it to the squad for the tournament, which will be held in the UAE after political unrest in Bangladesh meant it had to be shifted out.
Pakistan will also hope left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal recovers from injury soon. She has been included in the squad, but with an asterisk saying "subject to fitness". Iqbal was one of the driving forces behind Pakistan's aforementioned run to the Asia Cup semifinal, and starred in that match with 4-16.
Fourteen members of this squad were part of the Asia Cup squad, with Sadaf Shamas the exception.
Pakistan: Full squad for 2024 Women's T20 World Cup
Batters: Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin, Sadaf Shamas
Bowlers: Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Tuba Hassan, Tasmia Rubab, Sadia Iqbal*
All-rounders: Fatima Sana (c), Nida Dar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Aliya Riaz
Wicketkeepers: Muneeba Ali, Gull Feroza
Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)
Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani
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