Pakistan to host ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy on four-day tour

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy is set to arrive in Lahore tomorrow for a four-day tour across Pakistan.

Following its arrival, the trophy will be taken to Multan, where it will be unveiled at the Multan Stadium during the Pakistan vs. South Africa women's match.

On September 19, the trophy will move to Faisalabad, where it will remain for two days. It will be displayed during the Champions One Day Cup match at the Faisalabad Stadium. The following day, the trophy will visit various historical sites in the city.

The Women’s T20 World Cup trophy will depart for Dubai on September 21.

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off on October 3, with matches hosted in Dubai and Sharjah. Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in their opening match on the same day.

The Pakistan women’s cricket team, led by Fatima Sana, is all set to face Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa in a three-match Bank Alfalah T20I series starting Monday at the picturesque Multan Cricket Stadium.

This marks the first time the venue will host a T20I series, adding significance to the event. The second and third T20Is are scheduled for September 18 and 20, with the first two matches starting at 7:00pm PST, and the final game at 10:00am.

The series is a crucial warm-up for both teams ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE next month. South Africa, runners-up in the last edition, are touring Pakistan for the second time in two years. Last year, Pakistan dominated South Africa in a white-ball series in Karachi, securing a clean sweep in the T20Is.

Fans can attend the matches for free by bringing their original ID cards to the stadium. For those unable to attend, the matches will be broadcast live in HD on A Sports, with live streaming available on the PCB’s YouTube channel.

After the series concludes, South Africa will head to the UAE on September 21, followed by Pakistan on September 23. Pakistan has been placed in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, alongside Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka. South Africa, meanwhile, will compete in Group B, featuring England, Bangladesh, Scotland, and the West Indies.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana expressed her excitement ahead of the series, saying, "This series is a great opportunity for us to prepare for the World Cup. Playing against a strong team like South Africa will help us evaluate our performance under pressure."

The 18-member Pakistan squad includes key players such as Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Muneeba Ali, and Nida Dar. The support staff, headed by coach Muhammad Wasim, will aim to guide the team through this important series.

Pakistan squad for the T20I series:

• Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani.

Schedule:

• 1st T20I – September 16, 7:00 PM, Multan Cricket Stadium
• 2nd T20I – September 18, 7:00 PM, Multan Cricket Stadium
• 3rd T20I – September 20, 10:00 AM, Multan Cricket Stadium