West Indies Women “A” Team have completed their preparations and are all set for their upcoming 50-overs series against the Pakistan Women “A” Team. This is the historic first tour by the West Indies “A” and they will be led by Rashada Williams, the effervescent wicket-keeper batter. The first match will be at the Ghani Institute for Cricket on Tuesday morning (12 midnight Eastern Caribbean/11pm Monday Jamaica).
Williams said:
“It is a privilege to be here, playing for and representing West Indies. It is an honour to lead the group. I am hoping to do my best and show my leadership qualities and gel the unit.”
She added:
“We have practiced at the NCA and assessed the conditions of the surface…. The pitches are not as fast as our pitches in the Caribbean but they are still good wickets. Whether you bat first or bowl first, it is all about backing yourself.”
Some members of the West Indies squad traveled from Australia where they were recently involved in the ODI and T20I series. The other half of the squad traveled form the Caribbean and assembled in Lahore last week under the guidance of Head Coach Shane Deitz. The nucleus of the squad is formed from players who participated in the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.
On the Pakistan side, captain Rameen Shamim, looked ahead to the series.
“We have prepared well for the series. Our coaches helped during the training camp, which was conducted in Muridke at the start of the month. We played practice matches and prepared keeping the conditions in mind… We know how the pitches act in Gaddafi Stadium and Ghani of [Institute Cricket] so we have prepared accordingly.”
“It is a very big honour for me to captain Pakistan Women ‘A’, especially during a home series. Whenever we play a home series, it is always a lot more exciting. Of course, there is pressure as well, but playing at home is a different experience altogether.”
SQUADS
West Indies Women A: Rashada Williams (Captain and Wicket-keeper), Ashmini Munisar (Vice Captain), Jahzara Claxton, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Cherry Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Jannillea Glasgow, Sheneta Grimmond, Trishan Holder, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, Qiana Joseph, Nyia Latchman, Mandy Mangru, Shunelle Sawh (Wicket-keeper)
Pakistan Women A: Rameen Shamim (Captain), Amber Kainat, Anosha Nasir, Eyman Fatima, Fatima Shahid, Gull Feroza (Wicket-keeper), Gull Rukh, Humna Bilal, Noreen Yaqoob, Omaima Sohail, Saima Malik, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Nawaz (Wicket-keeper), Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan
Travelling Reserves: Fatima Khan, Maham Manzoor and Syeda Khadija Chishty
ONE-DAY SCHEDULE
24 October – 1st 50-over match at Ghani Institute for Cricket
26 October – 2nd 50-over match at Ghani Institute for Cricket
29 October – 3rd 50-over match at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore