Multan to host first T20 international series from Monday

Three T20I matches between the women's teams of Pakistan and South Africa will take place at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Free admission for spectators to all games; September 16–18, 18–20 are T20I dates

The three-match Bank Alfalah T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa, headed by Laura Wolvaardt, will begin on Monday at the Multan Cricket Stadium. Fatima Sana is the squad captain for the Pakistani women's team.

On September 18 and 20, respectively, the second and third Twenty20 Internationals will take place at the same location. The opening ball of the T20Is will be bowled at 1900 PST for the first and second match, and at 10.00 am for the third match.

This will be the inaugural T20I series held at the magnificent Multan Cricket Stadium. Six Test matches and 11 ODIs have previously been held at the stadium.

The three games provide both teams a chance to prepare for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which is set to take place in the UAE next month. For the second time in as many years, South Africa, who finished second in the most recent ICC Women's T20 World Cup held in South Africa, is visiting Pakistan.

South Africa participated in a white-ball series (part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022–25) that included three T20Is and three ODIs during their most recent tour. In a three-match Twenty20 International series played in Karachi from September 1–4, Pakistan easily defeated South Africa.

The stadium's admission will be free to entice people to visit the field. To enter the stadium, visitors will need to present their original ID card.

Fans in Pakistan will also be able to view the matches on A Sports in high definition. On the PCB's official YouTube channel, audiences in the Pakistan region will be able to watch live.

Following the series, Pakistan will travel on September 23 while South Africa will depart on September 21 for the United Arab Emirates. In the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa is grouped alongside Bangladesh, England, Scotland, and the West Indies, while Pakistan is in Group A with Australia, India, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan's schedule for October includes matches against India on October 6, Australia on October 11, and New Zealand on October 14. The warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh on September 28 and 30, respectively, will be followed by Pakistan's encounter against Sri Lanka on October 3 in Sharjah.

In an interview with PCB Digital prior to the T20I series, Fatima Sana stated:

"The series against South Africa is a great opportunity for us to prepare ourselves well before the ICC Women's T20 World Cup scheduled for next month. The players have been working hard in training." Playing against South Africa, a formidable opponent, will enable us to evaluate our performance in high-pressure scenarios.

"We are thrilled to play in the stunning Multan Cricket Stadium, particularly since it is the site of the first-ever international women's Twenty20 International series." With free stadium entrance, it's a fantastic chance for people to attend and support both teams. The support from Pakistani supporters is always amazing.

team of eighteen for the series:

The captain is Fatima Sana; other players include Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, and Umm-e-Hani.

Staff members who assist players:

Hina Munawar (manager), Muhammad Wasim (head coach), Junaid Khan (assistant coach – bowling), Hanif Malik (assistant coach – fielding), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Imran Khalil (strength and conditioning coach), Farhan Nawaz (media and digital manager), Rabia Siddiq (physiotherapist) and Waleed Ahmed (analyst).

Schedule of matches:

16 Sep – 1st T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7pm start)

18 Sep – 2nd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (7pm start)

20 Sep – 3rd T20I, Multan Cricket Stadium (10am start)