File photo: Aliya Riaz last played for Pakistan in the World T20 in March © AFP
Batsman Aliya Riaz and seamer Diana Baig have been recalled to the Pakistan Women’s squad for their limited-overs tour of New Zealand. The series begins on November 9 with the first of five ODIs and ends with a lone T20I on November 27.
Riaz, 24, made her international debut in August 2014. She has played eight ODIs and 10 Twenty20s for Pakistan, the most recent of which came in the World T20 in March. In November 2015, she struck an unbeaten 106 against USA in a T20 match in Florida. The 21-year old Baig has not played for Pakistan since making her ODI and T20I debuts in 2015.
These changes were made after Pakistan lost all six international matches on their tour of England in July. Bowlers Sania Khan and Aiman Anwer, and batsman Muneeba Ali, who were part of that series, have lost their spots as a result. Maham Tariq and Ayesha Zafar, who were on standby in the UK, were made part of the main squad for the New Zealand series.
The last three ODIs against New Zealand count towards the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship. Pakistan are in seventh place, while New Zealand are in fourth and a series victory for the hosts would secure them direct qualification to the World Cup next year. The top four teams in the Championship gain automatic entry into the World Cup, and table-toppers Australia Women have already ascertained their place.
The Pakistan Cricket Board also announced the same squad would participate in the Asia Cup to be held in Thailand also in November
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Source: ESPN Crickinfo