Pakistan is all set for a brand-new chapter in women’s cricket as they head into the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with a new leader and a squad that blends a perfect mix of experience and youth. After winning all five of their matches in the Qualifiers at home, the team sealed their place in the tournament and will now look to build on that momentum while competing against the heavyweights of the cricketing world.
Fatima Sana, who guided the side through the qualifiers, has officially taken over as captain from veteran Nida Dar, who missed out on selection for the World Cup. Her leadership and all-round form will be central to Pakistan’s hopes, who will aim for redemption after finishing last in the 2022 ODI World Cup held in New Zealand. For the national team, Sana has been the best bowler, as she tops the wickets chart in the past year with 12 wickets from seven innings.
“Our journey here has been full of learning. The recent qualifiers gave us confidence, but we also know that the World Cup is a different challenge altogether. Each match will demand focus, consistency, and resilience, and that’s where our preparation and teamwork will matter most,” said Sana.
She stressed the mix of senior players and fresh faces in the squad. Among the standout performers in the Qualifiers 2025 was Sidra Amin, who scored 225 runs in five matches at an average of 45, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer. Muneeba Ali also impressed, averaging 44.60. Over the past year, Aliya Riaz has scored 250 runs from seven innings at an average of 50, adding strength to the middle order. Alongside Fatima Sana’s 12 wickets, spinner Nashra Sundhu has been consistent too, taking 10 wickets from seven innings at 26.70.
“We have a balanced squad with a mix of experienced players and exciting young talent. Teammates like Sidra Amin, Diana Baig, Nashra Sundhu, Aliya Riaz, and Muneeba Ali have already been part of past World Cups and bring calmness and experience. At the same time, youngsters like Eyman Fatima, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Natalia Parvaiz bring fresh energy and skills that add depth to our team,” she added.
On the bowling front, Pakistan will rely on partnerships between pacers and spinners, especially in Sri Lankan conditions where spin is going to play a key role on gripping tracks. “As captain and a fast bowler, I’m looking forward to the conditions in Sri Lanka. Bowling there requires discipline, and as a group of pacers and spinners, our biggest test will be to strike at key moments and support each other through partnerships in the field. On the batting side, we know that building partnerships and playing with freedom will be crucial,” said the 23-year old.
In the build-up to the World Cup, Pakistan hosted training camps at home that focused on fine tuning the skill-set and fitness of reckoning players for the global event. The coaching staff, which now includes former internationals Mohammad Wasim and Junaid Khan, has also been praised for shaping the squad’s readiness.
“Our preparations started months ago, with camps and matches designed to sharpen our game. Having former internationals like Mr. Mohammad Wasim and Mr. Junaid Khan in our coaching staff has added great value. Their guidance has helped us think deeper about the 50-over game and how to adapt in different phases of a match.”
For the younger players, the World Cup offers a big stage to make a mark. Uncapped batter Eyman Fatima has already shown promise in T20Is in Ireland, and now finds herself part of the 50-over set-up, aiming to make it count at the biggest stage. For Sana, the tournament holds much significance and the bigger picture is more than just about results. “Personally, it is an honour and a humbling experience to lead Pakistan in an ODI World Cup for the first time. My aim is simple: to keep the team united, to encourage every player to express themselves, and to approach each game with belief, discipline and team spirit.”
She also hopes that their performances will inspire the next generation. “We respect every opposition we face, but we also believe in the hard work we’ve put in. My hope is that our performances not only bring joy to our fans but also inspire more girls in Pakistan to pick up a bat or a ball and dream of representing their country one day.”
Pakistan will kick start their campaign against Bangladesh on October 2 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Quotes are sourced from ICC’s Column.
