Allrounder Sune Luus stepped down as the captain of the South African women's team as the selectors announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming limited-overs tour of Pakistan starting September 1. Luus' decision to step down from her role has come as a bit of a surprise as she had led the Proteas to the final of the T20 Women's World Cup earlier this year at home.
It is understood that Cricket South Africa will announce their new skipper soon as the team will leave for its first-ever tour of Pakistan in a few days. The team will play three T20Is and three ODIs between September 1 to 14. All the matches of the tour will be played in Karachi. The ODI series is of prime significance as it is a part of the ongoing ICC Women's Championship 2022-25 cycle.
The squad announced for the tour has retained the core that was involved in South Africa's near fairytale campaign during the T20 World Cup earlier this year as 12 players from that side have been retained. The biggest surprise is the absence of veteran Chloe Tryon, who requested a leave of absence and was granted the same.
Young wicketkeeper-batter Mieke de Ridder might get a chance to make her international debut. Allrounder Nondumiso Shangase has been recalled to the set-up. She last played for the team in 2021.
South Africa squad:
Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, Laura Wolvaardt
Pakistan ODI squad for South Africa series:
Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar
Reserves – Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz and Tuba Hassan
Pakistan T20I squad for South Africa series:
Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah and Umm-e-Hani
Reserves – Anoosha Nasir, Omaima Sohail and Waheeda Akhtar
Series Itinerary:
1 Sep – First T20I
3 Sep – Second T20I
5 Sep – Third T20I
8 Sep – First ODI
11 Sep – Second ODI
14 Sep – Third ODI
