As the Women in Green prepare to play Bangladesh in the first match of their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 campaign on Thursday, October 2 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, skipper Fatima Sana has said that her team is “completely prepared and ready to make Pakistan proud.”
Pakistan has a lot of momentum going into the eight-team World Cup after qualifying undefeated in the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier earlier this year in Lahore, winning every game with commanding performances.
Even though Pakistan’s last pre-World Cup assignment ended in a tight 2-1 ODI series defeat to South Africa, Fatima thinks those matches provided crucial lessons and combination testing before the big event. Eyman Fatima, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, and Syeda Aroob Shah are among the seven players who will compete in their first ODI World Cup, representing a new generation of talent eager to establish themselves on the international scene.
Ahead of their campaign, the Pakistan skipper spoke calmly and with hope from Colombo. Our preparations have been deliberate and targeted. We came into this World Cup with the confidence we earned from being undefeated in the Qualifiers. The squad has settled relatively fast since the circumstances in Colombo are extremely similar to those in Pakistan. Although Fatima acknowledged that the postponed warm-up match against Sri Lanka was a lost chance, she said that the South Africa series improved some crucial aspects. It felt fulfilling to work at the crease and individually contribute runs. Together, we have shown dedication and clarity. Our World Cup will be defined by our collaboration, discipline, and consistency.
If they advance, Pakistan will play in all of the group-stage matches in Colombo, including the semifinal on October 29 and the final on November 2 in the capital of Sri Lanka. “Wearing the Pakistan jersey is an honor,” Fatima said in closing, expressing pride in the country. Insha’Allah, we want to play constructive cricket, win important matches, and represent Pakistan with honor. We are prepared.
Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper), and Syeda Aroob Shah comprise Pakistan’s 15-man squad.
Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar are non-traveling reserves.
The Fixtures of Pakistan
October 2 vs Bangladesh
October 5 vs. India
Oct. 8 vs Australia
October 15 vs. England
October 18 vs New Zealand
October 21 vs South Africa
October 24 vs Sri Lanka