Pakistan women’s cricket team to tour South Africa next month

LAHORE: Pakistan women’s national cricket team will tour South Africa for three ODIs and three T20Is, which will be played in Durban and Pietermaritzburg between Jan 20 and Feb 3.

According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the series has been organised to help both Pakistan and South Africa prepare for the upcoming assignments, in particular Pakistan, who will feature in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier in July 2021 for the event proper to be held in New Zealand in early 2022.

The series will start and finish in Durban with the first ODI on Jan 20 and the third T20I on Feb 3. Both matches will be played under lights. Durban will also stage the second ODI on Jan 23 before action will move to Pietermaritzburg where the third ODI and opening two T20Is will be played.

South Africa, along with world champions England, Australia, India, and hosts New Zealand, have already qualified for the World Cup after securing top positions in the ICC Women’s Championship 2017-20.

To prepare and select the best available side, the women’s national selection committee has invited 27 women cricketers for a training and preparation camp, which will be held at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi from December 20.

The tour to South Africa will also be the first official assignment of head coach David Hemp and bowling coach Arshad Khan. This will be Pakistan women’s side’s second tour to South Africa within 18 months.

Women’s chief selector and head of the women’s cricket, Urooj Mumtaz said,  “It is critical for women’s cricket that we continue to invest in the game in these difficult times.”

“I am delighted that Cricket South Africa have agreed to host us for a full tour despite having already qualified for the ICC Women’s World Cup 2022. This is yet another indicator and reflection of our relationship with the Member boards,” she added. 

She further said, “I am sure this series will go a long way in not only assisting us to further improve our standards but also prepare for June’s ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2021.”