LAHORE – After an absorbing three-match ODI series that ended with a thrilling tied game in Benoni on Sunday, South Africa and Pakistan enter the five-match T20I series with the opening clash on Wednesday at LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria.
Pakistan have made one change to the squad that played the ODI series, opener Nahida Khan has been replaced by all-rounder Iram Javed.
Head coach Mark Coles feels that the T20I series will be an exciting one following the closely fought ODI series, Iram’s addition, Coles added, will bolster Pakistan’s squad as the team builds for next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
“We are really looking forward to the T2oI series after the one-day series. There are a lot of areas that we can improve on, we are pretty confident with our game plans we just have to make sure we execute them. The arrival of Iram Javed gives us a little bit more firepower in the batting as well so we are really looking forward to it.
“It’s been a great ODI series and now we are very excited about what’s to come in the next 10 to 12 days in terms of our T20I cricket and our build up to the T20I World Cup next February-March in Australia.”
Pakistan are currently ranked seventh in the ICC women’s T20I rankings while South Africa are placed sixth. The two teams have so far contested in nine T20Is, Pakistan have won four while South Africa have been victorious on five occasions.
The two teams last played a three-match T20I series in the UAE in March 2015, South Africa won the series 2-1 with Pakistan taking the series opener at Sharjah by a five wicket margin.
In the ICC batting rankings, Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof and star batter Javeria Khan share the 16th spot, both have 571 points each.
South Africa’s highest ranked batter from their T2oI series squad is Mignon du Preez, she is placed 23rd with 524 points, 11th placed is regular South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk who is not part of the current squad due to an injury.
In the ICC bowler rankings, South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail is placed fifth with 681 points, Pakistan’s left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu is 10th with 643 points.
Marizanne Kapp is 10th in the ICC all-rounder rankings with 285 points while Pakistan’s Nida Dar occupies the 12th spot with 252 points.
All five T20I matches will start at 1600 hrs Pakistan time.
Pakistan women’s team for T20Is – Bismah Maroof (captain); Aiman Anwar; Aliya Riaz; Fatima Sana; Iram Javed; Javeria Wadood Khan; Javeria Rauf; Kainat Imtiaz; Nashra Sundhu; Nida Dar; Rameen Shamim; Sana Mir; Sidra Amin; Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Omaima Sohail.
South Africa women’s team for T2oIs – Suné Luus (captain) Chloe Tryon (vice-captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Moseline Daniels, Nadine De Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper), Tazmin Brits, Tumi Sekhukhune,.
T20I series schedule:
15 May – 1st T20I match, Pretoria
18 May – 2nd T20I match, Pietermaritzburg
19 May – 3rd T20I match, Pietermaritzburg
22 May – 4th T20I match, Benoni
23 May – 5th T20I match, Benoni
