Pakistan announce 15-member squad for World Cup qualifier, 38-year-old star all-rounder excluded

Pakistan have officially announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Women's World Cup 2025 Qualifier. The Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Qualifier, featuring six teams vying for the final two spots in the 50-over World Cup later this year, is set to be hosted by Pakistan from April 9 to 19.   

Interestingly, bowling all-rounder Nida Dar is a notable omission from the Pakistan's World Cup qualifier's final squad, despite being among the 19 players initially selected for the training camp in preparation for this crucial qualifier event.   

Leading the charge for Pakistan will be pace all-rounder Fatima Sana, who previously captained the side during last year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

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Adding a fresh dynamic to the team is the return of young player Shawaal Zulfiqar, who is set to don the national colors for the first time since 2023 after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept her away from the game.

Women's World Cup 2025 Qualifier is shaping up to be an exciting contest, featuring six teams, the West Indies, Thailand, Scotland, Ireland, Bangladesh, and the hosts, Pakistan. The tournament will follow a round-robin format, meaning each of the six nations will play against every other team once. At the end of these matches, the two teams that top the standings will secure their coveted places in the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India.   

Essentially, this six-team qualifier will determine the final two participants in this year's ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025. By finishing in the top two positions of this competition, those teams will earn their spots in the 13th edition of the 50-over World Cup, set to be held later this year.   

Pakistan's squad for Women's World Cup 2025:

Fatima Sana (c), Najiha Alvi, Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Omaima Sohail, Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, Nashra Sundhu, Muneeba Ali, Rameen Shamim, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Syeda Aroob Shah, Natalia Parvaiz, Sidra Nawaz.

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Meanwhile, barring Thailand, Ireland, Scotland, West Indies, Bangladesh have also revealed their respective squads for the World Cup qualifier.

Ireland squad: Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast (vice-captain).

Scotland squad: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Sarah Bryce (wk), Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Ailsa Lister (wk), Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Nayma Sheikh, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul, Ellen Watson (wk).

West Indies squad: Hayley Matthews (c), Shemaine Campbelle, Aaliyah Alleyne, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Zaida James, Qiana Joseph, Mandy Mangru, Ashmini Munisar, Karishma Ramharack, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams.

Bangladesh squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Ishma Tanjim, Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Rabeya, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Farzana Haque, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Marufa Akter, Ritu Moni.