Ireland Women squad for Pakistan T20Is announced, Gaby Lewis to lead

Ireland Women squad for Pakistan T20Is announced, Gaby Lewis to lead. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Ireland has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan. Gaby Lewis will continue to lead the side, with Orla Prendergast named as her deputy. This series is a crucial part of Ireland’s preparations ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, where they will be aiming to secure a place in next year’s marquee event.

The first match of the three-match T20I series will take place on August 6 at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin. Pakistan will be led by Fatima Sana in the three-match T20I series.

The squad receives a significant boost with the return of off-spinner Freya Sargent, who is making her comeback after recovering from injury. Fellow spinner Lara McBride retains her place in the squad following an impressive debut series against Zimbabwe.

“After a strong 5–0 series win against Zimbabwe Women across formats under new Head Coach Lloyd Tennant, it’s great to be able to move so quickly into what will understandably be a much tougher assignment against Pakistan Women in Clontarf for this T20I series,” said National Women’s Selector Ciara O’Brien after successful series against Zimbabwe.

“With the upcoming matches, our preparation continues for the ICC Women’s T20I World Cup Europe Qualifier in the Netherlands in a few weeks, so we’re looking to see this latest momentum continued by the squad at Clontarf,” she added.

Historically, the two teams have met 19 times in T20 Internationals, with Pakistan leading the head-to-head 15-4. However, Ireland will take confidence from their most recent encounter in 2022, where they won the T20I series by a 2-1 margin.

IRE vs PAK squads

Ireland: Gaby Lewis (captain), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell.

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan and Waheeda Akhtar