Sports Bulletin

 Lahore (SBR):The Women’s National Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 set to take place from 30 September to 2 November. The same squad will also feature in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, scheduled at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 16 to 22 September.Uncapped right-handed batter Eyman Fatima, who recently made her T20I debut against Ireland, is part of the ODI squad. Fatima Sana, who represented Pakistan in the previous edition of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, will lead the side for the first time in the mega event.23-year-old had previously captained the side in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier held in Lahore this year, where the team maintained a 100 per cent win record to secure qualification for this year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup set to take place in India and Sri Lanka.Pakistan will play all their group-stage matches at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Should Pakistan qualify for the 29 October semi-final and the 2 November final, then both the matches will take place in Colombo.Also, six players - Natalia Parvaiz (8 ODIs, 24T20Is), Rameen Shamim (8 ODIs, 11 T20Is), Sadaf Shamas (15 ODIs, 12 T20Is), Sadia Iqbal (27 ODIs, 50 T20Is), Shawaal Zulfiqar (3 ODIs, 9 T20Is) and Syeda Aroob Shah (2 ODIs, 15 T20Is) are set to feature in their maiden ODI World Cup.Moreover, 21-year-old Aroob, 20-year-old Shawaal alongside 20-year-old Eyman featured for Pakistan in the inaugural edition of ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup held in South Africa in January 2023.Additionally, two changes have been made from the 15-member squad that featured in the ICC Women’s CWC Qualifier. Eyman and Sadaf come into the squad in place of Gull Feroza and Najiha Alvi, who have been named in the five-member non-travelling reserves alongside Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.The 15 players alongside five reserves players will take part in a 14-day pre-South Africa series camp from Friday, 29 August. The players under the coaching staff led by Muhammad Wasim will undergo practice sessions as well as 50-over practice matches. More details regarding the camp will be announced in due course.South Africa women’s cricket team will arrive in Lahore on 12 September.15-member squad:Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice-captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wicket-keeper) and Syeda Aroob ShahNon-traveling reserves:Gull Feroza, Najiha Alvi, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda AkhtarPlayer support personnel:Hina Munawar (manager), Mohammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Tahir Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Saad (fielding coach), Mohammad Rafi Ullah (media manager), Mohammad Asfand Yar (strength and conditioning coach), Waleed Ahmed (analyst), Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist), Kiran Shahzadi (masseuse) and team doctor (tbc)Pakistan v South Africa women series:16 September – First ODI19 September – Second ODI22 September – Third ODIPakistan team fixtures:2 October – vs Bangladesh5 October – vs India8 October – vs Australia15 October – vs England18 October – vs New Zealand21 October – vs South Africa24 October – vs Sri Lanka

Islamabad (Sports Desk): A revised schedule for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 has been announced with Navi Mumbai replacing Bengaluru as one of the five venues for the eight-team tournament.The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai will host up to five fixtures comprising three league matches, a semifinal and potentially the final after a rejig was necessitated because of the unavailability of Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.The tournament dates remain the same – 30 September to 2 November – as do the other venues, which are the ACA Stadium (Guwahati), Holkar Stadium (Indore), ACA-VDCA Stadium (Visakhapatnam) and R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo, Sri Lanka).Tournament fixtures:Tuesday, 30 Sept: India vs Sri Lanka, GuwahatiWednesday, 1 Oct: Australia vs New Zealand, IndoreThursday, 2 Oct: Bangladesh vs Pakistan, ColomboFriday, 3 Oct: England vs South Africa, GuwahatiSaturday, 4 Oct: Australia vs Sri Lanka, ColomboSunday, 5 Oct: India vs Pakistan, ColomboMonday, 6 Oct: New Zealand vs South Africa, IndoreTuesday, 7 Oct: England vs Bangladesh, GuwahatiWednesday, 8 Oct: Australia vs Pakistan, ColomboThursday, 9 Oct: India vs South Africa, VisakhapatnamFriday, 10 Oct: New Zealand vs Bangladesh, GuwahatiSaturday, 11 Oct: England vs Sri Lanka, ColomboSunday, 12 Oct: India vs Australia, VisakhapatnamMonday, 13 Oct: South Africa vs Bangladesh, VisakhapatnamTuesday, 14 Oct: New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, ColomboWednesday, 15 Oct: England vs Pakistan, ColomboThursday, 16 Oct: Australia vs Bangladesh, VisakhapatnamFriday, 17 Oct: South Africa vs Sri Lanka, ColomboSaturday, 18 Oct: New Zealand vs Pakistan, ColomboSunday, 19 Oct: India vs England, IndoreMonday, 20 Oct: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Navi MumbaiTuesday, 21 Oct: South Africa vs Pakistan, ColomboWednesday, 22 Oct: Australia vs England, IndoreThursday, 23 Oct: India vs New Zealand, Navi MumbaiFriday, 24 Oct: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, ColomboSaturday, 25 Oct: Australia vs South Africa, IndoreSunday, 26 Oct: England vs New Zealand, Visakhapatnam (11h00)Sunday, 26 Oct: India vs Bangladesh, Navi MumbaiWednesday, 29 Oct: Semifinal 1, Guwahati/ColomboThursday, 30 Oct: Semifinal 2, Navi MumbaiSunday, 2 Nov: Final, Navi Mumbai

Lahore (PR): Pakistan’s Saleema Imtiaz will officiate in her first ODI bilateral series when she takes the field during the upcoming three-match women’s ODI series between Pakistan and South Africa in Lahore, with the PCB confirming the match officials for the series.The three-match ODI series will be staged at the Gaddafi Stadium from 16 to 22 September.Saleema, who is part of the ICC International Panel of Umpires will be joined by Australia’s Claire Polosak, who returns to Pakistan after officiating in the Pakistan v West Indies women’s series last year in Karachi. Polosak, also a member of the ICC International Panel of Umpires, will stand in all three ODIs as an on-field umpire.Humairah Farah has been named as the reserve umpire for the series, while Tariq Rasheed from the PCB Elite Panel of Umpires will also perform duty of an on-field umpire during the series. Former Test cricketer Ali Naqvi, a member of the PCB and ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, will lead the playing control team.Umpire and match referee appointments (Matches from 16 to 22 September)16 September – First ODI. Claire Polosak and Saleema Imtiaz (on-field umpires), Tariq Rasheed (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)19 September – Second ODI. Claire Polosak and Tariq Rasheed (on-field umpires), Saleema Imtiaz (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)22 September – Third ODI. Claire Polosak and Saleema Imtiaz (on-field umpires), Tariq Rasheed (third umpire), Humairah Farah (reserve umpire); Ali Naqvi (match referee)

Karachi (SBR): Fatima Sana will continue to lead the Pakistan women’s team as the Women’s National Selection Committee has named a 15-member squad for the Ireland series. The three-match T20I series against Ireland will be played at Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin from 6 to 10 August.22-year-old Eyman Fatima is the only uncapped player in the squad. She has been selected after scoring 287 runs from eight matches at a strike rate of 155.14 in the National Women’s T20 Tournament held in Karachi in May this year. The right-handed batter also represented Pakistan in the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 World Cup in 2023.The squad has been selected from among the 24 players taking part in the Women’s Skills camp, which will conclude on 27 July in Karachi. At the conclusion of the Skills camp, the 15-member squad will undergo a pre-series camp in Karachi before departing for Ireland to take part in the bilateral series.Pakistan squad:Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Tuba Hassan and Waheeda AkhtarNon-traveling reserves:Neha Sharmin, Omaima Sohail, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Nawaz and Syeda Aroob ShahPlayer support personnel:Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach bowling), Abdul Saad (assistant coach fielding), Waleed Ahmed (analyst) and Tehreem Sumbal (physiotherapist)Series schedule:6 Aug – First T20I at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin8 Aug – Second T20I at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin10 Aug – Third T20I at Clontarf Cricket Club, Dublin

Sports Bulletin ReportLondon, 10 July 2025 – Three elite cricket venues have today been added to the list of grounds that will play their part in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 when it comes to England and Wales next year. Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, The County Ground, Derby, and Loughborough University – home of the ECB’s National Cricket Performance Centre – will play host to a range of warm-up matches before the tournament gets underway on 12th June 2026.All three venues share a rich cricketing pedigree and have played a part in propelling women’s cricket on to the global stage. The warm-up matches will see the best in the world go head-to-head as they prepare for next summer’s groundbreaking tournament. The three venues will play a prominent role in showcasing elite women’s cricket to local fans before the first ball of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 is bowled at Edgbaston on 12thJune next year.Tournament Director Beth Barrett-Wild said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sophia Gardens, The County Ground, Derby, and Loughborough University to the roster of incredible venues that will host the tournament next summer. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 provides an unparalleled opportunity to really shine a spotlight on the excellence in our sport and to launch women’s cricket firmly into the mainstream. We’re delighted to extend that opportunity to even more English and Welsh fans through the warm-up games, and to inspire hundreds and thousands of people across the country to fall in love with women’s cricket.”The expanded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 will see 12 teams descend on England and Wales to compete for the prestigious trophy that is currently held by New Zealand. 33 matches will be played across the 24-day competition, at seven iconic venues, before the final takes place at Lord’s on 5th July.

Islamabad (Sports Desk): The full schedule for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has officially been revealed today with renowned venues up and down the country set to host 24 days of thrilling international sport.The tournament will open with England taking on Sri Lanka under lights at Edgbaston on Friday 12 June, kicking off a whirlwind month of world-class action that will see 12 teams battling it out for the prestigious trophy, currently held by New Zealand.England captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, said: “World Cups are always special, but this one already feels different — it has the potential to be truly game-changing. It’s going to be a huge moment for our sport and a brilliant opportunity to inspire young people and captivate fans across the country. Playing on home soil, for the biggest prize, against the best players in the world, it’s going to be unmissable. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”Tournament Director, Beth Barrett-Wild, commented: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup provides us with an unparalleled opportunity to transform a month of sporting excellence into a movement that will rewrite the narrative about women’s cricket. At iconic venues across the country, we’ll see incredible, world-class athletes battling it out in out in front of hundreds of thousands of fans, who with every ball bowled and run scored, will be contributing to lasting change. It’s our opportunity to give women’s cricket, and women’s sport, the stage it deserves.”ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Groups: Group 1: Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Qualifier, QualifierGroup 2: West Indies, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Qualifier, QualifierSchedule (ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026):Friday June 12: England v Sri Lanka, Edgbaston 18:30 BSTSaturday June 13: Qualifier v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 10:30 BSTSaturday June 13: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTSaturday June 13: West Indies v New Zealand, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTSunday June 14: Qualifier v Qualifier, Edgbaston 10:30 BSTSunday June 14: India v Pakistan, Edgbaston 14:30 BSTTuesday June 16: New Zealand v Sri Lanka, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BSTTuesday June 16: England v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTWednesday June 17: Australia v Qualifier, Headingley 10:30 BSTWednesday June 17: India v Qualifier, Headingley 14:30 BSTWednesday June 17: South Africa v Pakistan, Edgbaston 18:30 BSTThursday June 18: West Indies v Qualifier, Headingley 18:30 BSTFriday June 19: New Zealand v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 18:30 BSTSaturday June 20: Australia v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 10:30 BSTSaturday June 20: Pakistan v Qualifier, Hampshire Bowl 14:30 BSTSaturday June 20: England v Qualifier, Headingley 18:30 BSTSunday June 21: West Indies v Sri Lanka, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTSunday June 21: South Africa v India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 23: New Zealand v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTTuesday June 23: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 23: Australia v Pakistan, Headingley 18:30 BSTWednesday June 24: England v West Indies, Lord’s Cricket Ground 18:30 BSTThursday June 25: India v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTThursday June 25: South Africa v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 18:30 BSTFriday June 26: Sri Lanka v Qualifier, Old Trafford Cricket Ground 18:30 BSTSaturday June 27: Pakistan v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 10:30 BSTSaturday June 27: West Indies v Qualifier, Bristol County Ground 14:30 BSTSaturday June 27: England v New Zealand, The Oval 18:30 BSTSunday June 28: South Africa v Qualifier, Lord’s Cricket Ground 10:30 BSTSunday June 28: Australia v India, Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BSTTuesday June 30: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 1), The Oval 14:30 BSTThursday July 2: TBC v TBC (Semi Final 2), The Oval 18:30 BSTSunday July 5: TBC v TBC (The Final), Lord’s Cricket Ground 14:30 BST

Karachi(SBR):Invincibles’ left-arm pacer Neha Sharmin Nadeem picked up 3-14 in four overs to help her team overcome Fatima Sana’s Conquerors in the sixth round of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2024-25 at the National Bank Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.Neha provided the Invincibles with a head-start as she dismissed both the opposition opening batters for golden ducks before castling Najiha Alvi for a run-a-ball 16 to leave Conquerors 37-3.Skipper Fatima, who is currently leading the batting charts with 252 runs, continued her fine form with the bat as she contributed 41 runs off 32 balls with the help of seven fours, while also partnering with Hafsa Khalid (24, 35b, 4x4s) for a 33-run stand.Fatima fell prey to Tania Saeed, who returned figures of 4-0-18-2, as Conquerors were restricted to 107-8 in 20 overs.In turn, Ayesha Zafar (47, 35b, 8x4s) and Omaima Sohail (44 not out, 41b, 7x4s) forged a 91-run alliance for the second wicket after Humna Bilal landed an early blow to remove Muneeba Ali. Invincibles reached the target in 15.5 overs with eight wickets in hand.In the other sixth round fixture at the Oval Academy Ground, Strikers rolled over Stars by nine wickets as they chased the 98-run target in 12.4 overs to bag their second win in the tournament.Skipper Gull Feroza (37 not out, 42b, 3x4s) and player of the match Noreen Yaqoob (28, 21b, 4x4s, 1x6) put on a 56-run opening stand before Stars’ Tuba Hassan removed the latter. Eyman Fatima struck two fours and as many sixes in her unbeaten 14-ball 28 to take the team over the line.Earlier, Stars’ bid to win the toss and bat first fell flat as they slipped to 26-3 and then 55-5 as opening batter Sana Urooj contributed 19 runs off 17 balls hitting four boundaries.Tuba Hassan, batting at no.6, top scored with a 25-ball 30 inclusive of four fours, Hurraina Sajjad (14 not out, 15b, 1x4) and Sidra Nawaz’s (14, 27b, 2x4s) contributions pushed the Stars 97-7 in the allotted 20 overs.For Strikers, Anam Amin and Ayesha Bilal snapped two wickets each, while Noreen, Diana Baig and Rehmat Noreen dismissed one batter each.Scores in brief:Match 11: Invincibles beat Conquerors by eight wickets at the National Bank StadiumConquerors 107-8, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 41, Hafsa Khalid 24; Neha Sharmin Nadeem 3-14, Tania Saeed 2-18)Invincibles 108-2, 15.5 overs (Ayesha Zafar 47, Omaima Sohail 44 not out)Player of the match – Neha Sharmin Nadeem (Invincibles)Match 12: Strikers beat Stars by nine wickets at the Oval Academy GroundStars 97-7, 20 overs (Tuba Hassan 30, Sana Urooj 19; Anam Amin 2-14, Ayesha Bila 2-16)Strikers 98-1, 12.4 overs (Gull Feroza 37 not out, Eyman Fatima 28 not out, Noreen Yaqoob 28)Player of the match – Noreen Yaqoob (Strikers)7th round fixtures, Friday, 16 May: (both matches to begin at 3pm PKT)Match 13: Challengers v Stars at National Bank StadiumMatch 14: Strikers v Invincibles at Oval Academy Ground

Karachi(SBR)Conquerors skipper Fatima Sana struck a masterful 88 off 49 balls against Challengers to help her team register second win of the National Women’s T20 tournament 2024-25 at the National Bank Stadium, Karachi on Saturday evening. Challengers were restricted to 137-7 in their pursuit of the 166-run target.Fatima, who walked in to bat at no.5 with 45 runs on the board, struck 14 fours and three sixes in her commanding knock, while also partnering for a mammoth 111-run stand with Najiha Alvi (25 not out, 25b, 2x4s).For Challengers, Rameen Shamim returned figures of 4-0-19-2, while Zaib-un-Nisa and Quratulain dimissed one batter each.In turn, Challengers’ Aliya Riaz, who turned up at no.3, top-scored with 36 off 34 balls hitting three fours and two sixes, while also stitching a 29-run stand with opening batter Sadaf Shamas (30, 30b, 5x4s, 1x6).With Challengers slipping to 80-5 after being 72-2, skipper Rameen (27 n0t out, 15b, 3x4s, 1x6) and Gull Rukh (17, 12b, 1x6) waged a fightback but in vain as they fell 28 runs short. For Conquerors Mahnoor Aftab picked up two wickets.At the Oval Academy Ground, Stars’ skipper Sidra Amin continued her brilliant form with the bat as she struck a 44-ball 59 inclusive of seven fours and one six in her team’s 69-run win over Invincibles.After the departure of opening batter Samiya Afsar (18, 12b, 4x4s) with 28 runs on the board, no.3 batter Sidra partnered with Sana Urooj (45, 41b, 4x4s, 2x6s) for a 75-run stand. Huraina Sajjad (18, 10b, 3x4s) and Tuba Hassan (17, 14b, 1x6) also chipped in with valuable contributions with the bat as Stars posted 172-5 in their 20 overs.For Invincibles, Omaima Sohail dismissed two batters for 27 runs in her four overs.With the ball, Stars’ Waheeda Akhtar ran riot with figures of 4-1-16-4, while Anosha Nasir and Tuba Hassan dismissed two batters each as Invincibles folded for a mere 103-9 in 20 overs. No batters except Muneeba Ali (40, 28b, 7x4s) and Omaima (30, 29b, 4x4s) entered the double figures for Invincibles, who have now lost three matches on the trot.Scores in brief:Match 5: Conquerors beat Challengers by 28 runs at the National Bank StadiumConquerors 165-5, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 88, Najiha Alvi 25 not out; Rameen Shamim 2-19)Challengers 137-7, 20 overs (Aliya Riaz 36, Sadaf Shamas 30, Rameen Shamim 27 not out; Mahnoor Aftab 2-9)Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Challengers)Match 6: Stars beat Invincibles by 69 runs at the Oval Academy GroundStars 172-5, 20 overs (Sidra Amin 59, Sana Urooj 45; Omaima Sohail 2-27)Invincibles 103-9, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 40, Omaima Sohail 30; Waheeda Akhtar 4-16, Tuba Hassan 2-14, Anosha Nasir 2-38)Player of the match – Sidra Amin (Stars)

 Karachi (SBR):Conquerors and Stars won their opening round matches of the National Women’s T20 Tournament 2024-25, which began at the two venues of Karachi on Wednesday afternoon.At the National Bank Stadium, after opting to bat first, Stars on the back of an unbeaten 89 from skipper Sidra Amin, scored 148 for four in their allotted 20 overs against Strikers. No.3 batter, Sidra’s innings included 14 fours and a six, which came off 57 balls.Huraina Sajjad returned undefeated on 25 off 30 balls, which included one boundary. The pair of Sidra and Huraina knitted an unbroken 81-run partnership for the fifth wicket.In turn, despite an unbeaten half-century by Eyman Fatima (52 not out, 34b, 9x4s, 1x6), who walked in to bat at 46-2, Strikers fell 17 runs short of the target and managed to score 131 for six in 20 overs.Neelam Mushtaq and Tuba Hassan bagged two wickets apiece for the winning side.At the Oval Academy Ground, Conquerors scored 145 for nine in 20 overs after batting first against Invincibles. Captain Fatima Sana was the top run-getter, returning undefeated on 85 off 48 balls, which included 12 fours and three sixes.For Invincibles, left-arm spinner Saima Malik was the most successful bowler, claiming four wickets for 13 runs in four overs.In reply, Invincibles were restricted to 115 for six in their 20 overs, falling 30 runs short of the target. Muneeba Ali top-scored with a 48-ball 50, which included five fours and a six. No.7 batter Fatima Khan struck five fours in her 33-ball 31 but in vain.For the winning side, left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu grabbed two wickets for 20 in four overs.On 8 May, Strikers will face Invincibles at the National Bank Stadium, while Challengers will take on Stars at the Oval Academy Ground. Both matches will begin at 3pm.Scores in brief:Match 1: Stars beat Strikers by 17 runs at the National Bank StadiumStars 148-4, 20 overs (Sidra Amin 89 not out, Huraina Sajjad 25 not out)Strikers 131-6, 20 overs (Eyman Fatima 52 not out, Aleena Masood 23, Zoofishan Ayyaz 21; Neelam Mushtaq 2-27, Tuba Hassan 2-27)Player of the match – Sidra Amin (Stars)Match 2: Conquerors beat Invincibles by 30 runs at the Oval Academy GroundConquerors 145-9, 20 overs (Fatima Sana 85 not out, Farzana Farooq 21; Saima Malik 4-13)Invincibles 115-6, 20 overs (Muneeba Ali 50, Fatima Khan 31 not out; Nashra Sundhu 2-20)Player of the match – Fatima Sana (Conquerors)

 Karachi (SBR):The National Women’s T20 Tournament will begin on Wednesday (tomorrow) in Karachi. The 18-day tournament will see five teams – Challengers, Conquerors, Invincibles, Stars and Strikers, competing against one another with each team playing eight matches with a total of 22 matches slated to take place till 24 May.The T20 matches will be played at the National Bank Stadium and Oval Ground, with first ball of each match to be bowled at 3pm. The opening day will see Strikers competing against National Women’s One-Day Champions Stars at the National Bank Stadium, while Conquerors will take on Invincibles at the Oval Ground.To make the tournament more competitive, the teams finishing second and third on the points table will face off in a Qualifier on 22 May, with the winner advancing to meet the top-ranked team in the final on 24 May. The final will be played at the National Bank Stadium.A total of 80 cricketers will participate in the tournament, which carries a prize pool of over PKR three Million. The champions will receive PKR 1.5 million, while the runners-up will take home PKR one million.Pakistan national team captain Fatima Sana will lead Conquerors, while opening batter Gull Feroza will captain Strikers. Muneeba Ali, the only Pakistan women batter to score a T20I century will lead Invincibles, while all-rounder Rameen Shamim will lead Challengers. Sidra Amin, who was Pakistan’s top run-getter in the recently concluded ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier, will lead Stars.Captains’ while speaking exclusively to PCB Digital on the eve of the tournament expressed their confidence on team’s preparations.Challengers captain Rameen Shamim: “We have made plans for the tournament with the coaching staff and will try to execute them on the field.“We have a balanced squad with all departments covered and we will aim to produce good results in every match of the tournament.”Conquerors captain Fatima Sana: “We will try to do well in the T20 tournament. All the players are eager to showcase their skills and perform well for the team.“Our team couldn’t win the final of the One-Day Tournament, but this is a T20 event and we will try not to repeat the same mistakes and do well in this competition.”Invincibles captain Muneeba Ali: “We will take one game at a time and will try to win the opening match to gain momentum in the tournament.“I will try to contribute as much in team’s better performance in the tournament.”Stars captain Sidra Amin: “Our team had won the previous One-Day Tournament, so we will be aiming high in the forthcoming T20 tournament.“We have had domestic tournaments regularly in Karachi, so we are familiar with the conditions and are confident of achieving better results in the tournament.”Strikers captain Gull Feroza: “We have had a good preparation camp leading up to the tournament and the young players in our side are ready to perform when given the opportunity.“I am optimistic the team will perform well and give better results in the tournament.”