Pakistan name squad for Ireland tri-series, Commonwealth Games

The same squad that featured in the recently concluded three-match T20I series at home against Sri Lanka has been selected for the tri-series in Ireland which features Australia as the third team, and the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

It was Pakistan Women's first T20I series sweep against Sri Lanka, and following their successful outing, the selectors have retained the same outfit for the two upcoming projects.

"Following a successful series against Sri Lanka, we have decided to retain the same winning combination," said Asmavia Iqbal,****the national women's team’s chief selector. "Not only our senior cricketers in the side displayed great cricketing acumen also our youngsters were outstanding and have raised their hands whenever the team needed them to."

Pakistan's first T20I tri-series clash is against the reigning ICC Women's T20 World Cup champions, Australia. The series will commence on 16 July with the last match scheduled to be played on 24 July, with all the matches to be held at the Bready Cricket Club.

Bismah Maroof's side will then shift their base to Birmingham for the Commonwealth Games, with their first fixture on 29 July against Barbados.

Latest MRF Tyres ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings

The Pakistan chief selector heaped praise on Tuba Hassan, who was impressive in her debut series against Sri Lanka. She finished the series as her side's highest wicket-taker with five wickets at an economy of just 3.66 and subsequently made an immediate impact on the MRF Tyres ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings.

The 17-year-old Ayesha Naseem starred with the bat with a Player-of-the-Match performance in the second T20I, scoring a brisk 31-ball 45*.

"We are delighted with the start Tuba Hassan has had to her international career and feel her leg-spin will be a potent weapon for us in the days ahead," said Asmavia Iqbal. "Ayesha Naseem produced a match-winning innings in the second match of the T20Is against Sri Lanka and proved her big-hitting ability.

"The tri-series in Ireland and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games will test the abilities of our players and I have all the belief in them that they will live up to the expectations and show consistent results."

Squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gull Feroza (wk), Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan.