The Pakistan women’s team will face South Africa in the first of the three-match T20I series tomorrow at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi.
All-rounder Nida Dar will lead the home side after her appointment in April this year since Bismah Maroof stepped down from the captaincy following Pakistan’s participation in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa in February.
After the T20I series, Pakistan and South Africa women’s sides will clash in three ODIs which are part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2022-25.
The T20Is will begin at 7:30pm, while the ODIs will start at 3:30pm.
“I am feeling really honoured to lead the Pakistan team as a full-time captain, and that too at home. The South Africa women's side is here for the first time, so it's going to be a great experience, and we are looking forward to the series,” Dar said while talking to PCB Digital.
“There is definitely a lot of cricket happening in Pakistan, with the Men's Asia Cup also taking place. There's a lot of cricket for the fans to witness and enjoy.
“The National Bank Stadium is a historic venue, and I have always dreamed of playing here against a very competitive side. I am very hopeful that the team will produce positive results here.
“We are fully focused on the game. We haven't played international cricket in the recent past, but we kept ourselves fit through different skills camps and practice games. The team combination is really strong, and as a leader I am looking forward to achieving positive results for the team in the series.
“We have a very busy season coming up, so we have prepared ourselves well. The Asian Games are scheduled after the South Africa series, so this series will help us prepare well in the Asian Games. I expect us to perform well in the series, and we are geared up for the busy year ahead.
“Cricket is one sport, whether it's men's or women's cricket, that is loved by fans across the country. I urge the fans to come to the stadium and support this game.”
Meanwhile, South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt said: “I am very excited to be here again in Pakistan. I had a great time before when I was here for the exhibition match and now I am looking forward to a memorable time.
“It's our first-ever tour to Pakistan, so the training sessions ahead of the T20I series will be very important to help us understand the conditions here.
“This is going to be a big series, a closely contested one. Pakistan is a very competitive side, and Nida is a very good captain. They have very talented young players on their side, so we are up for a very good series.
“I will encourage the fans to come; it's going to be exciting cricket matches in the evening, and definitely, people should come and support.”