Pakistan name women’s U-19 squad for South Africa T20 series

LAHORE: Pakistan’s selectors on Tuesday announced a 17-player women’s U-19 squad for a five-match home T20 series against South Africa, which will be held in Karachi later this month.

The series is scheduled to run from July 14 to 24 at the National Bank Stadium. South Africa’s U-19 side is due to arrive in Karachi on July 10 for what will be their first tour of Pakistan.

Fizza Fiaz has been appointed captain for the series. She was part of the Pakistan side that secured a 3-2 series win in Bangladesh in December 2025. During that five-match T20 contest, the right-handed batter played two matches and scored 72 runs, including a half-century.

The 19-year-old has also featured in the National Women’s T20 Tournament as well as the National Women’s U-19 Tournament 2025-26. Pakistan have retained nine players from the squad that toured Bangladesh, with Aqsa Habib, Areesha Ansari, Komal Khan, Memoona Khalid, Raahima Syed, Ravail Farhan, Rozina Akram and Zoofishan Ayyaz joining Fizza among those returning.

Preparation and fixtures

The players selected for the South Africa series also took part in two U-19 fitness and skills camps in Karachi as part of preparations for the home assignment.

The opening match of the five-game series will be played on July 14. The remaining fixtures are scheduled for July 17, 19, 22 and 24, all at the National Bank Stadium.

Squad and support staff

The squad comprises Fizza Fiaz (captain), Alzoha Hammad, Aqsa Habib, Areesha Ansari, Barirah Saif, Hadia Mina, Komal Khan, Mah Noor, Maham Nazakat, Mahnoor Zeb, Memoona Khalid, Raahima Syed, Ravail Farhan, Rozina Akram, Shahar Bano, Zainab Khanum and Zoofishan Ayyaz.

The team management includes Aisha Jalil as manager, Mohammad Masroor as head coach, Shoaib Khan as batting coach, Naeem Tayyab as bowling coach, Jaweria Rauf as fielding coach, Eman Arbab as analyst, Taimoor Mehmood as strength and conditioning coach, and Surakhsha Shaker as physio.