Ireland has named a 14-member squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan. Gaby Lewis will continue to manage the team, with Orla Prendergast appointed as her deputy. This series is an important element of Ireland’s preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, as they want to earn a spot in next year’s premier event.
The first match of the three-match T20I series will be played on August 6 at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin. Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan’s three-match T20I series.
The squad receives a huge boost with the return of off-spinner Freya Sargent, who has recovered from injury. After a good first series against Zimbabwe, fellow spinner Lara McBride remains in the squad.
“After a strong 5-0 series win against Zimbabwe Women across formats under new Head Coach Lloyd Tennant, it’s great to be able to move so quickly into what will understandably be a much tougher assignment against Pakistan Women in Clontarf for this T20I series,” said National Women’s Selector Ciara O’Brien following the successful series against Zimbabwe.
“With the upcoming matches, our preparation continues for the ICC Women’s T20I World Cup Europe Qualifier in the Netherlands in a few weeks, so we’re looking to see this latest momentum continued by the squad at Clontarf,” according to her.
Historically, the two teams have faced off 19 times in T20 Internationals, with Pakistan prevailing 15-4. Ireland will, however, draw encouragement from their most recent encounter in 2022, when they won the T20I series 2-1.
Ireland vs Pakistan squads
Ireland: Gaby Lewis (captain), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell.
Pakistan: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan and Waheeda Akhtar
India
