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World T20 preview: Pakistan

Javeria Khan will skipper Pakistan in their World T20 campaign, while there's a promising youngster on the rise

Pakistan squad: Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Javeria Khan (c), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sana Mir, Bismah Maroof, Sidra Nawaz.

Fixtures: 9 November v Australia, 11 November v India, 13 November v Ireland, 15 November v New Zealand

Best result: Group stage (2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016)

ICC ranking: 7th

The talking point: Javeria Khan will stay on as skipper for the World T20, the PCB has confirmed. Javeria initially took over from Bismah Maroof when the Pakistan skipper required sinus surgery and led her team in their recent series against Australia. Maroof returned for the final two T20Is of that series but will not return to the captaincy for the World T20, with Pakistan opting to lessen her workload while she continues to recover.

Image Id: BB87F275C57C44BAAEBB2D19ED05AE12 Image Caption: Sana Mir // Getty

The star: Veteran Sana Mir relinquished the captaincy following last year’s 50-over World Cup in England, but continues to pose a major threat with the ball. The off-spinner was a force to be reckoned with in the ODIs against Australia earlier this month and has since claimed the title of the world’s top-ranked ODI bowler, and it’s that form she’ll be hoping to translate to the 20-over game on Caribbean pitches that are likely to suit the slower bowlers.

Image Id: FD0B2369770744CD9CA729D09EA44738 Image Caption: Omaima Sohail // PCB

The one to watch: Omaima Sohail only made her T20 debut against Australia earlier this month, but the 21-year-old batter has made a bright start to her international career. She struck 45 in just her second match and immediately showed a willingness to take on opposition attacks, displaying the sort of flair Pakistan’s batting order needs if it is to post larger scores against top-ranked opponents and her coaches will hope her form continues in her maiden World T20 campaign.

The verdict: The Australian players were full of praise for Pakistan’s bowling attack following their recent ODI and T20 series in Malaysia and it’s with the ball the subcontinent nation appears most likely to cause problems for opposition teams this tournament. Combine that with some promising performances with the bat against Australia, namely from Sohail and opener Nahida Khan, and Pakistan will be looking to improve on their record at World T20 tournaments, which has seen them win five of the 20 matches they’ve played to date.

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia v Pakistan, Province Stadium, Guyana

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground