• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Pakistan will host South Africa for a brief three-match T20I series in Multan from September 16 to 20, serving as a precursor to the women's T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday.

The South African team will arrive in Multan on September 13, ahead of their three-match T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled for September 16, 18, and 20. 

Following the series, South Africa will head to the UAE on September 21, while Pakistan will depart for the UAE two days later, on September 23.

ALSO READ: Paris 2024 Paralympics: Neeraj Chopra Cheers for 'Incredible' Indian Para-Athletes, Says 'Keep Inspiring Us'

Pakistan will face stiff competition in Group A of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka, while South Africa will battle it out in Group B with Bangladesh, England, Scotland, and the West Indies.

"This T20I series against Pakistan is a critical part of our preparations for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. It offers the team the invaluable opportunity to gain match practice, allowing us to refine our strategies and ensure that our players are in peak form," Cricket South Africa director of cricket Enoch Nkwe said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

South Africa is set to embark on their second tour of Pakistan in just over a year, following their previous visit in September last year, which saw them win the ODI series 2-1 and lose the T20I series 3-0.

Pakistan has decided to stick with the same squad for both the Women's T20 World Cup and the bilateral series, ensuring consistency and continuity.

ALSO READ: Who Is Sheetal Devi? All You Need To Know About India's Armless Archer Aiming To Conquer Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Pakistan's ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign will begin with warm-up matches against Scotland on September 28 and Bangladesh on September 30, before facing Sri Lanka on October 3 in Sharjah, followed by matches against India, Australia, and New Zealand in Dubai.

Pakistan squad: Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan.

Najiha Alvi (wk, travelling reserve), Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani (non-traveling reserves) will be a part of the series in Multan.