Key takeaways from Pakistan’s Cricket World Cup 2025 squad
The Asian side revealed a strong squad for the upcoming World Cup, with a good mix of youth and experience looking to build on their unbeaten run at the Qualifier tournament.
Pakistan revealed their 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup on Monday and the side have named a well balanced group led by all-rounder Fatima Sana.
The core of the group were among the squad that won the Qualifier event in April this year, though there are some new faces added alongside a group of experienced players.
Pakistan Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vc), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah. Travelling Reserves: Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
We take a look at some of the key takeaways from the squad announcement:
Pakistan players look back at their successful campaign | WCWCQ 2025
The Pakistan players celebrate and reminisce a successful qualification campaign to the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 later this year.
Qualifier winners rewarded
Only two players - Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi - that were part of the victorious squad from the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier event in April are missing from Pakistan's 15-player group, with selectors deciding to reward the majority of the group that performed so well on home soil.
Batting duo Eyman Fatima and Sadaf Shamas are the two new players added to the team that was unbeaten at the Qualifier and Pakistan have high hopes for the duo, especially 20-year-old Eyman.
Eyman has played three T20Is for Pakistan to date and the side expect the right-hander to play a major role in their future plans.
Pakistan into the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 after Thailand win | Match Highlights | WCWCQ 2025
All-round contributions led Pakistan to fourth-straight win.
Fatima backed to lead from the front
Fatima Sana has already shown great leadership qualities and the 23-year-old is likely to thrive on the big stage at the 50-over World Cup.
She was Pakistan's leading wicket-taker during the Qualifier tournament with 12 scalps and will be relied upon to keep the run rate down and take the odd breakthrough when opposition sides try and attack Pakistan's bowlers.
Fatima can also play a vital role in Pakistan's middle-order, so expect the right-hander to perform well with both bat and ball at the World Cup.
Fatima Sana – Pakistan's captain extraordinaire | ICC 100% Cricket
fatima Sana (1).mp4 (2025-04-19 10:22:05Z)
Baig a key with new-ball
There's no doubt Pakistan look a much better side when Diana Baig is fit and taking wickets with the new-ball.
The right-armer managed seven wickets during Pakistan's successful Qualifier campaign and more will be expected of the 29-year-old at the World Cup.
If Baig can make early inroads with the ball, then Pakistan's bevy of spin options can keep the run rate low during the middle-overs.
Diana Baig – the fun-loving pacer leading Pakistan's bowling attack | CWC22
Chance to impress at maiden World Cup
There are six players in Pakistan's 15-member squad set to feature at their first Women's World Cup and the bulk of these players will get the chance to show their capabilities.
Syeda Aroob Shah, Shawaal Zulfiqar and Eyman were all part of Pakistan's squad at the 2023 edition of the ICC Women's Under-19 T20 Cricket World Cup and are likely to see opportunities, while star spinner Sadia Iqbal will have a point to prove after she missed the most recent World Cup in 2022 due to injury.
Iqbal was one of four Pakistan players named in the Team of the Tournament during the Qualifier event and the No.2 ranked T20I bowler in the world is sure to cause opposition batters plenty of problems at the 50-over event.