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Published 28 Dec, 2013 07:38am

Merit ignored as selectors name women’s squad for Doha event

LAHORE: After holding just one practice match in Karachi, the national selectors named a 14-member Pakistan’s women cricket team for the upcoming International Cricket Championship, to be held in Qatar from Jan 8-25 involving Ireland, South Africa and Pakistan.

Sources said that according to the initial programme three practice matches were to be held before announcing the team but only one was held.

The national selectors, it seems, failed to do their homework on the women players as many talented cricketers could not find their place in the squad while other tried-and-failed ones made the squad.

Fast bowler Irum Javed who was declared by the PCB women’s wing as the best find of the last World Cup qualifiers round held in England, has been ignored.

Also missing is the name of promising Karachi all-rounder Javeria Rauf who has been performing quite well in domestic tournaments.

Meanwhile, Marina Iqbal and Sumaiya Siddiqi who were dropped from the national side two years ago, have again been recalled despite nothing notable against their name in recent season.

Moreover, in the practice match, leg-spinner Anum Amin had snared four wickets including the wicket of captain Sana Mir for a duck but she has been ignored while as many as five fast bowlers have been included in the team namely Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Marina Iqbal, Sania Khan, and Sumaiya Siddiqi.

Squad: Sana Mir (captain), Bismah Maroof (vice-captain), Syeda Nain Fatima Abidi, Nida Rashid, Javeria Wadood, Nahida Bibi, Sidra Amin, Syeda Batool Fatima Naqvi (wicketkeeper), Asmavia Iqbal, Qanita Jalil, Sumaiya Siddiqui, Sadia Yousaf, Marina Iqbal, Sania Iqbal.

Officials: Manager: Ayesha Ashhar. Coach: Mohtashim Rasheed. Trainer: Ibrar Ahmad. Physio: Nimra Zulfiqar. Video analyst; Sajid Yasin Hashmi.

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