Pakistan have opted for a small shake-up before their three-week tour of South Africa next month, naming uncapped batter Saira Jabeen and right-arm quick Humna Bilal in the T20I squad. Allrounder Fatima Sana stays on as captain across both formats, a vote of confidence after a bruising 2025 World Cup.
Diana Baig, returning from a shoulder problem, has been selected for the ODIs only. Top-order batter Ayesha Zafar and wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi are also back in the one-day set-up.
Former left-arm pacer Wahab Riaz travels as team mentor. He will work alongside batting coach Imran Farhat, fast-bowling coach Umaid Asif, spin specialist Abdur Rehman and fielding lead Abdul Majeed.
“It’s a good mix of youth and experience,” a PCB selector said in Tuesday’s media release. “The new faces have been rewarded for strong domestic form, while the core group remains intact.”
Key facts first
• Tour dates: 10 February – 1 March
• Venues: Potchefstroom, Benoni, Kimberley (T20Is); Bloemfontein, Centurion, Durban (ODIs)
• Format split: three T20Is followed by three ODIs
• Captain: Fatima Sana in both formats
• New caps: Saira Jabeen, Humna Bilal (T20Is)
The World Cup hangover
Pakistan finished bottom of last year’s global tournament, losing all seven matches. Twelve of those fifteen players keep their places for South Africa, signalling what the management calls a “measured refresh” rather than a full rebuild.
Fatima Sana admitted during the camp announcement in Karachi, “We were hurt by that World Cup run, no doubt. But the only way forward is to front up, improve, and back our skills.”
Tour schedule at a glance
10 Feb – 1st T20I, Potchefstroom
13 Feb – 2nd T20I, Benoni
16 Feb – 3rd T20I, Kimberley
19 Feb – 50-over warm-up v SA Emerging, Kimberley
22 Feb – 1st ODI, Bloemfontein (day)
25 Feb – 2nd ODI, Centurion (day-night)
1 Mar – 3rd ODI, Durban (day)
Selection talking points
1. Pace depth: with Fatima, Riaz and Baig already in the pool, Bilal’s inclusion suggests Pakistan want extra zip in the powerplay.
2. Top-order options: Sidra Amin, Zafar and Jabeen give flexibility. One may need to slide to No.3 to shore up middle-over scoring.
3. Spin balance: Nashra Sundhu’s left-arm orthodox remains first choice, but leg-spinners Tasmia Rubab and Syeda Aroob Shah are on standby for the slower Highveld pitches.
Analyst’s view
The biggest challenge is managing confidence after the World Cup. South Africa’s quicks hit the deck hard; Pakistan’s batters struggled against similar bowling in New Zealand last winter. If the tourists can get through the new ball, their spinners usually drag them into contests.
Full squads
T20Is: Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wk), Humna Bilal, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan
ODIs: Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab
The squad gathers in Karachi on 1 February for a short camp before flying south. Training sessions are open to local media, a small but welcome nod to transparency after a difficult year.
