The Pakistan women's selection committee, headed by former men's Test cricketer Jalaluddin, has announced the sides for the upcoming T20Is and ODIs against the West Indies. Karachi will host the three T20Is on 31 January, 1 and 3 February, while Dubai will be the venue of the three ODIs to be played on 7, 9 and 11 February.
Bismah Maroof has been appointed Pakistan captain for both the formats. The 27-year-old from Lahore has played 98 ODIs and 92 T20Is in which she has scored 2,329 runs and 1,724 runs, respectively. With her right-arm leg spinners, Bismah has claimed 41 ODI and 35 T20I wickets.
Bismah had missed the series against Australia in Kuala Lumpur in the lead up to the ICC Women's Championship due to an injury, and though she featured in the ICC Women's World T20 in the Caribbean last year, the side was led by Javeria Khan.
"It's always a privilege to be appointed captain of your country. But to be named captain in a home series against a tough side like the West Indies, that too when international cricket is making a steady return to Pakistan, is a huge honour," said Bismah, adding: "We have a good side, a side that has matured and blossomed in the past few months. I am sure we will put up strong performances across both the formats. I want to thank the West Indies women's cricket team for agreeing to visit Karachi. This visit will help them see and understand the passion for cricket in Pakistan. We have great friends in the West Indies women's team, and this relationship and respect will only strengthen now."
Pakistan women's team squad: Bismah Maroof (captain); Aiman Anwar; Aliya Riaz; Anam Amin; Diana Baig; Irum Javed; Javeria Khan; Nashra Sandhu; Natalia Pervaiz; Nida Dar; Sana Mir; Sidra Amin; Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper) and Omaima Sohail.