Pakistan will face South Africa in a three-match women’s T20I series, commencing today (Tuesday).

This is Pakistan Women’s first tour of South Africa for a bilateral series since 2021, according to a PCB statement.

The T20Is will be staged on February 10, 13 and 16, with matches scheduled to start at 9pm Pakistan time.

Pakistan’s 15-member squad is captained by Fatima Sana, while Laura Wolvaardt will lead the home side.

In the build-up to the series, Pakistan held a week-long pre-series camp in Karachi, which included practice sessions and scenario-based matches.

The squad features two uncapped players for Pakistan, with pacer Humna Bilal and batter Saira Jabeen braced for their T20I debuts.

The series provides both sides with an opportunity to finalise preparations for the 12-team ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, set to take place from June 12 to July 5 in England and Wales.

In head-to-head, in 24 T20I matches, South Africa have an upper hand against Pakistan, but Pakistan had swept the series by three-nil against South Africa when the two sides met in Karachi in 2023.

For Pakistan, in the current squad, in the batting department, Aliya Riaz has featured in 15 T20Is against South Africa, scoring 321 runs at a strike rate of 122.98.

In the bowling unit, left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal has played six matches, claiming 10 wickets at an economy rate of 6.66.

15-member squad:

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicket-keeper), Humna Bilal, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.

Tour itinerary

1st T20I – Feb 10 — JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom (day/night)

2nd T20I – Feb 13 – Willowmoore Park, Benoni (day/night)

3rd T20I – Feb 16 – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley (day/night)