Pakistan to Face Thailand in Asian Games Women’s Quarterfinal on Thursday
Pakistan will face Thailand in the women's quarterfinal of the Asian Games on Thursday, September 17, at the Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi Prefecture. All matches are scheduled to begin at 10:00 AM Pakistan time.
The teams previously met in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup, where Pakistan emerged victorious by 35 runs in Dubai, according to a press release.
Pakistan's squad arrived directly from the UAE after participating in the ACC Women’s Asia Cup. Fatima Sana will be the flag-bearer for the Pakistani contingent during the event's opening ceremony on September 19, alongside squash player Noor Zaman.
Due to her mother's illness, wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali Siddiqui had to return home and will not participate in the tournament. Gull Feroza will take her place behind the stumps.
Aliya Riaz, Tasmia Rubab, and Humna Bilal have replaced Sadaf Shamas, Waheeda Akhtar, and Sadia Iqbal from the Asia Cup squad for the Asian Games.
The eight-team tournament includes Bangladesh, China, India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, Malaysia, and Pakistan. The semi-finals will be played on September 20, with the Gold and Bronze Medal matches on September 22.
Pakistan has previously won the Gold Medal in the Asian Games in 2010 in Guangzhou and 2014 in Incheon.
Fatima Sana, Pakistan women’s captain, expressed her excitement:
"We are excited to compete in the Asian Games and it is an honor to be a part of Pakistan's contingent in this event. All the matches carry great significance, and for that, we will have to be at our best right from our first game against Thailand. I'm sure the team will give their best in our pursuit of the medal. It will also be a great experience playing cricket here in Japan. We aim to make this a memorable trip not just for us but also for the fans supporting Pakistan women’s team."
Pakistan Women's Squad for Asian Games:
- Fatima Sana (captain)
- Aliya Riaz
- Ayesha Zafar
- Eman Naseer
- Eyman Fatima
- Gull Feroza
- Humna Bilal
- Momina Riasat
- Nashra Sundhu
- Saira Jabeen
- Shawaal Zulfiqar
- Tasmia Rubab
- Tuba Hassan
- Umm-e-Hani
Support Staff:
- Wahab Riaz (coach/mentor)
- Ayesha Ashar (team manager)
- Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach)
- Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach)
- Abdul Majeed (fielding coach)
- Imran Farhat (batting coach)
- Waleed Ahmed (performance analyst)
- Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist)