Pak, SA women now turn focus to T20s

PRETORIA: After an absorbing three-match ODI series that ended with a thrilling tied game in Benoni on Sunday, South Africa and Pakistan enter the five-match T20I series with the opening clash on Wednesday at LC de Villiers Oval in Pretoria.

Pakistan have made one change to the squad that played the ODI series, opener Nahida Khan has been replaced by all-rounder Iram Javed.

Head coach Mark Coles feels that the T20I series will be an exciting one following the closely fought ODI series, Iram’s addition, Coles added, will bolster Pakistan’s squad as the team builds for next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

“We are really looking forward to the T2oI series after the one-day series. There are a lot of areas that we can improve on, we are pretty confident with our game plans we just have to make sure we execute them. The arrival of Iram Javed gives us a little bit more firepower in the batting as well so we are really looking forward to it.” The two teams last played a three-match T20I series in the UAE in March 2015, South Africa won the series 2-1 with Pakistan taking the series opener at Sharjah by a five wicket margin.All five T20I matches will start at 16 hrs Pakistan time.

Squads: Pakistan women (From): Bismah Maroof (captain); Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Iram Javed, Javeria Wadood Khan, Javeria Rauf, Kainat Imtiaz, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Rameen Shamim, Sana Mir, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicketkeeper), Omaima Sohail.

South Africa women (From): Suné Luus (captain) Chloe Tryon (vice-captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Moseline Daniels, Nadine De Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta (wicketkeeper), Tazmin Brits, Tumi Sekhukhune.

T20I series schedule: May 15: 1st T20I match, Pretoria

May 18: 2nd T20I match, Pietermaritzburg

May 19: 3rd T20I match, Pietermaritzburg

May 22: 4th T20I match, Benoni

May 23: 5th T20I match, Benoni.