Diana Baig returns as Pakistan announces squads for Australia series, T20 World Cup

The Pakistan women's team has received a massive boost ahead of their white ball series against the dominant Australian side next month as star pacer Diana Baig returns to the squad. The mercurial pacer missed Pakistan's latest assignment against Ireland due to a shoulder injury. She has been also included in the 15-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in South Africa.

Also Read: ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup: New Zealand announced their squad

The Asian outfit will be buoyed by the return of their influential pacer as they look forward to facing a swashbuckling Australian side in an ODI and T20I series next month. Chief selector Asmavia Iqbal feels that the return of the senior players to the squad will boost their preparation for the impending ICC event in February next year.

"The return of Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal, and Tuba Hassan will give a boost to the side and will strengthen our bowling attack which has the capability to do well. Sidra Nawaz has been added as our second wicket-keeper in the squad to give Muneeba Ali some space to express herself more with the bat, and gives an added option to the captain to utilize the services of a second wicket-keeper on the long tour."

Asmavia Iqbal said in an official statement

Pakistan ODI squad for Australia

Bismah Maroof (C)
Aliya Riaz
Ayesha Naseem
Diana Baig
Fatima Sana
Ghulam Fatima
Kainat Imtiaz
Muneeba Ali (wk)
Nashra Sandhu
Nida Dar
Omaima Sohail
Sadaf Shamas
Sadia Iqbal
Sidra Amin
Sidra Nawaz (wk)

"I wish luck to the players who have been selected for both the Australia series and ICC Women's T20 World Cup. I am hopeful the side will continue to perform in the same manner they have performed recently in the ACC Women's Asia Cup and Ireland series. The ODI series against Australia is very crucial, the expectations are high as we have won five of the six ICC Championship matches, and our aim is to qualify directly for the 50-over World Cup," she added.

Read Also: ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup 2023: All you need to know about the inaugural edition

Pakistan's tour of Australia will kick off with the ODI series commencing on the 16th of January in Brisbane. Following the Australia tour, the subcontinent side will travel to South Africa for the T20 World Cup. They will take on arch-rivals India in their campaign opener in Cape Town on February 12.