KARACHI: A lot has changed for Pakistan since they last took field during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in February this year.

They have a new captain in Nida Dar, their former head coach Mark Coles resigned just recently and they lost a gem of a hard-hitter in Ayesha Naseem to an unusually early retirement last month.

Pakistan, therefore, continue to remain in transition as they seek recognition as one of the strong women’s cricket sides in the world.

And with Nida having assumed the flag bearer role from former skipper Bismah Maroof in April, her first assignment will be the three-match Twenty20 International series against South Africa, which starts here at the National Bank Stadium on Friday.

The series, which will be followed by as many one-dayers at the same venue, will open what is set to be a busy cricket calendar for Pakistan, with the Asian Games scheduled for September. The side will also play 15 ODIs — as part of the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship cycle — and 17 T20s until May 2024.

Starting off the season against South Africa — finalists at this year’s T20 World Cup — at home will be an opportunity for Pakistan to gain confidence as a developing side, ranked seventh in the ICC rankings against their opponents, who are placed two places higher.

Although Pakistan haven’t been in action since February, Nida said the squad members have trained intensely throughout the off season.

The practice, she revealed, was focused on improving their “intent” to play a more aggressive style of cricket.

“We have conducted practice sessions regularly during the last six months,” the veteran all-rounder said during the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

“We have worked on improving our intent to play an aggressive game, which is important given how the sport is changing now.

“Our team combination is really good and we want to ace this series against South Africa so that we go into the Asian Games with confidence on our backs.”

Nida expressed her excitement over the influx of new faces in the squad, which mostly include players who have been unearthed from talent hunt programmes conducted by the Pakistan Cricket Board over the past few months.

“We always wanted to be in a position where it became hard for us to choose between a number of players,” said the 36-year-old.

“The recent talent hunt programmes have really benefited us and I believe we are in the right direction.”

South Africa, meanwhile, are on their maiden tour to Pakistan and will be led by Laura Wolvaardt, who took up the captaincy after former skipper Suné Luus stepped down from the position after the T20 World Cup.

On a head-to-head basis, Pakistan and South Africa have played a total of 18 T20Is, three of which include matches in ICC events.

Out of the 15 T20Is part of bilateral series, South Africa have won eight, while the hosts have won seven. The last time both sides featured in a T20I match was in Durban in

2021, where Pakistan defeated South Africa by eight runs.

“It’s our first-ever tour to Pakistan, so the training sessions ahead of the T20I series will be very important to help us understand the conditions here,” said Wolvaardt.

“This is going to be a big series, a closely contested one. Pakistan is a very competitive side, and Nida is a very good captain.

“They have very talented young players on their side, so we are up for a very good series.”

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2023