Bismah Maroof to captain Pakistan at 2023 Women's T20 World Cup

Diana Baig is included in Pakistan's 15-strong squad after missing her side's recent series against Ireland with a shoulder injury

Pakistan have named their squad for the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup, with Bismah Maroof once again set to lead her side at a major tournament.

The 31-year-old will be aiming to become the first captain to lead Pakistan Women beyond round one in the competition having fallen at the first hurdle in all seven previous campaigns.

Diana Baig has returns to the squad after missing Pakistan's recent series against Ireland with a shoulder injury. The 27-year-old medium pacer has taken 27 wickets in 38 T20Is.

Sadia Iqbal (hand) and Tuba Hassan (finger) have also recovered from injuries which kept them out of the Ireland series.

Indeed, the squad is almost identical to the one which reached the semi-finals of the 2022 Asia Cup. Kainat Imtiaz and Sadaf Shamas miss out from that group, with Javeria Khan and Nashra Sandhu (who replaced the injured Fatima Sana at the Asia Cup) taking their places.

^{Diana Baig is back in the squad after missing the Ireland series through injury [Sanka Vidanagama/Getty Images]}

Pakistan have been placed in Group B alongside England, India, Ireland and West Indies and will begin their campaign on February 12 against India in Cape Town.

A three-match T20I series against Australia in January, which is preceded by an ODI series against the same opponents, will serve Pakistan's warm-up to the tournament.

Chief selector, Azmavia Iqbal, said: "I am hopeful the side will continue to perform in the same manner they have performed recently in the ACC Women's Asia Cup and Ireland series.

"We have relied more on the senior players in the formation of the squad for the World Cup and we expect them to use their experience on the field and get positive results for the team.

"The return of Diana Baig, Sadia Iqbal and Tuba Hassan will give a boost to the side and will strengthen our bowling attack which has the capability to do well. Sidra Nawaz has been added as our second wicket-keeper in the squad to give Muneeba Ali some space to express herself more with the bat, and gives an added option to the captain to utilise the services of a second wicketkeeper on the long tour."

Pakistan squad for 2023 T20 World Cup: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk) and Tuba Hassan

Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz and Sadaf Shamas