Javeria Khan to captain Pakistan in absence of Bismah Maroof

Pakistan are facing South Africa in three ODIs and three T20Is, with Pakistan ramping up their preparations for the World Cup qualifying competition in July, ahead of the rearranged tournament which will now take place in New Zealand early in 2022

Javeria Khan will lead Pakistan Women on their upcoming tour of South Africa, with regular captain Bismah Maroof absent for “family reasons”.

The two countries are facing one another in three ODIs and three T20Is, with Pakistan ramping up their preparations for the World Cup qualifying competition in July, ahead of the rearranged tournament which will now take place in New Zealand early in 2022 – 12 months later than planned.

Pakistan’s 17-strong squad – readying themselves for their first international cricket for 10 months – will leave Karachi for Durban on January 11, with the ODIs beginning nine days later.

Javeria, a veteran of 204 international appearances, has captained her country on 17 occasions before – most recently, after Maroof broke her thumb during the T20 World Cup in 2020.

She is joined in the squad by Kainat Imtiaz, who last represented Pakistan in 2010, as well as Ayesha Zafar and Nashra Sandhu, both of whom were left out of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad.

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“We have seen significant improvement over the last three months in the intent and mindset of the players and the team is shaping up well for the upcoming series,” said chief selector Urooj Mumtaz. “The squad is well balanced and possesses a good blend of youth and experience for what promises to be an exciting tour.

“Javeria Khan is an experienced campaigner and has the desired understanding of the game which is necessary to lead the national women's team. She has undertaken this responsibility in the past and I am certain she will rise to the occasion and inspire the players.

“Our last tour to South Africa in 2018 produced high-quality cricket and we are looking forward to yet another competitive tour, which will be instrumental for the new head coach David Hemp as well as in our preparations for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifiers.”