KARACHI: The trophy for the Women’s T20 International series between Pakistan and South Africa was unveiled here on Thursday.
The glittering trophy was revealed by Pakistan’s skipper Nida Dar and her South African counterpart Laura Wolvaardt before both captains posed with the trophy at Karachi’s shore.
🏆 reveal on the Karachi shore 🌊
The two captains @CoolNidadar and Laura Wolvaardt look forward to the PayPak Presents Golootlo Pakistan vs South Africa Women T20I Series 2023 🇵🇰🇿🇦
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/qVCGkVu1HW#PAKWvSAW | #BackOurGirls pic.twitter.com/8UVtY5kQsY
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 31, 2023
The three-match WT20I series, scheduled on September 1, 3 and 4 will mark South Africa’s first-ever international fixture on Pakistan soil, followed by three ODIs, which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25 from 8 to 14 September.
Notably, the historic WT20I series will also mark one of the busiest international seasons for the Pakistan women’s team amid which they are all set to play 15 ODIs (part of ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25), 17 T20Is, and participate in the 19th Asian Games from 1 September 2023 to 29 May 2024.
Nida Dar will be aiming for a winning start as the captain of the Pakistan women’s team when her side takes on the touring South Africa women’s team.
All-rounder Nida was appointed full-time captain of the side in April this year after Bismah Maroof stepped down from the captaincy following Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in February.
On the other hand, South Africa, who are embarking on their maiden tour to Pakistan will be led by Laura Wolvaardt. She was given the reins of the touring side recently after Suné Luus led the South Africa women’s team to the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In the T20I format, the hosts are ranked seventh in the ICC Rankings, while South Africa are ranked fifth.
On a head-to-head basis, Pakistan and South Africa have played a total of 18 T20Is, three of which include matches in ICC events.
Out of the 15 T20Is part of the bilateral series, South Africa have won eight, while the hosts have won seven. The last time both sides featured in a T20I match was in Durban in 2021, where Pakistan defeated South Africa by eight runs on DLS.
Pakistan women’s team captain Nida Dar termed it an honour for her to lead the national team and is upbeat for the upcoming challenge.
“I am feeling really honoured to lead the Pakistan team as a full-time captain, and that too at home. The South Africa women’s side is here for the first time, so it’s going to be a great experience, and we are looking forward to the series.
“There is definitely a lot of cricket happening in Pakistan, with the Men’s Asia Cup also taking place. There’s a lot of cricket for the fans to witness and enjoy.
“The National Bank Stadium is a historic venue, and I have always dreamed of playing here against a very competitive side. I am very hopeful that the team will produce positive results here.
“We are fully focused on the game. We haven’t played international cricket in the recent past, but we kept ourselves fit through different skills camps and practice games. The team combination is really strong, and as a leader I am looking forward to achieving positive results for the team in the series.
“We have a very busy season coming up, so we have prepared ourselves well. The Asian Games are scheduled after the South Africa series, so this series will help us prepare well in the Asian Games. I expect us to perform well in the series, and we are geared up for the busy year ahead.
“Cricket is one sport, whether it’s men’s or women’s cricket, that is loved by fans across the country. I urge the fans to come to the stadium and support this game.”
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt, on the other hand, shared her excitement to return to Pakistan before terming the practice sessions important to understand the condition as they are touring the nation for the first time.
“I am very excited to be here again in Pakistan. I had a great time before when I was here for the exhibition match and now I am looking forward to a memorable time.
“It’s our first-ever tour to Pakistan, so the training sessions ahead of the T20I series will be very important to help us understand the conditions here.
“This is going to be a big series, a closely contested one. Pakistan is a very competitive side, and Nida is a very good captain. They have very talented young players on their side, so we are up for a very good series.
“I will encourage the fans to come; it’s going to be exciting cricket matches in the evening, and definitely, people should come and support.”
READ: Carse strikes on debut as England win New Zealand T20 opener