West Indies Women and Pakistan Women will begin a three-match T20I series on 30 June, at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Led by Stafanie Taylor, West Indies have named an experienced 13-member squad. Anisa Mohammed will be Taylor’s deputy. The Knight twins, Kycia and Kyshona, have been added to the roster.
West Indies have left Afy Fletcher and Shemaine Campbelle out. Along with Taylor, Deandra Dottin will be key in the series, while Shakera Selman and Shamilia Connell can be handy with the ball.
Javeria Khan’s Pakistan are equally strong on paper. They had named a combined 26-member squad including the ‘A’ team. Nida Dar, just a wicket short of becoming the first Pakistani to bag 100 T20I wickets, will be in focus in the first game.
If the tourists are looking for an early lead, Javeria and Nahida Khan, Pakistan Women’s top run-scorers in limited-overs cricket, have to score big. Aliya Riaz is the only decorated all-rounder for the side, while Nashra Sandhu and Diana Baig are their prolific wicket-taking options.
After T20Is, the two sides will play five-match ODI series, starting 7 July in Coolidge.
Head to Head
West Indies have played Pakistan 13 times in T20Is. They have won 10 and lost 3. They have met 7 times in West Indies, from which Pakistan emerged victorious once.
Probable XIs
West Indies Women: Stafanie Taylor (c), Deandra Dottin, Anisa Mohammed, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Kycia Knight, Kyshona Knight, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Shakera Selman.
Pakistan Women: Javeria Khan (c), Mubeena Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nahida Khan, Omaima Sohail, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Nashra Sandhu, Aiman Anwer.
Prediction
West Indies Women to win the contest and take the 1-0 lead.