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Maria Khan replaces Hajra Khan as new captain of Pakistan women’s football team

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  • Hajra Khan is retained in squad as player.
  • Maria Khan is one of the overseas players in Pakistan’s squad for next SAFF Championship.
  • Malika-e-Noor is named vice-captain of Maria.

KARACHI: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) has named Maria Khan as the new captain of the Pakistan women’s football team ahead of next month’s South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship.

The goalkeeper turned mid-fielder grew up in the United States where she played football for the University of Denver before moving to the United Arab Emirates for higher studies. In the UAE she played for a local club.

She is one of two overseas players named in Pakistan’s squad for the SAFF Championship which is set to be played in Nepal from September 6. UK-based Doncaster Rovers’ Nadia Khan is also selected to represent Pakistan in the SAFF Women’s Cup.

Hajra Khan, who was the captain of Pakistan’s women’s side when it played its last international match in 2014, was replaced by Maria. Hajra is retained in the squad as a player.

Malika-e-Noor is named vice-captain of Maria. She was also a member of the 2014 squad that played Pakistan’s last game in senior women’s football.

The federation has also confirmed the 23-member squad for the SAFF Women Cup. The list of players was published by Geo on August 24.

Other than Hajra and Malika-e-Noor, Nisha Ashraf, Roshan Ali, Sahar Zaman, Mahpara Shahid and Zulfia Nazir — named in the 23-member squad for the SAFF Cup 2022 — were also part of the Pakistan women’s team in 2014. 

Atika Nasir is also from the same batch. She attended the pre-tournament camp but did not play in the tournament that was held in Islamabad.

Pakistan women’s football team will leave for Nepal on Sunday.

Squad 

Hajra Khan, Maliha Nasir, Mishal Akram Bhatti, Rameen Fareed, Alina Isphani, Anmool Hira, Ghazala Aamir, Khadija Kazmi, Marvi Baig, Nizalia Siddique, Sara Khan, Shahida Amin, Shanza Nazir, Suha Hirani, Malika-e-Noor, Nisha Ashraf, Roshan Ali, Sahar Zaman, Mahpara Shahid, Zulfia Nazir, Atika Nasir, Maria Khan, and Nadia Khan. 

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Saying goodbye to international cricket, Bismah Maroof

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The decision to leave international cricket was made by Pakistani women’s cricket player Bismah Maroof on Thursday.

According to details, Maroof declared, “I am choosing to say goodbye to the sport, which I really enjoy. I have had a really memorable cricket journey.”

Saying, “The PCB, companions, family, and fans have always supported me,” she highlighted the importance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and fans to her career.

With an average of 29.55, Maroof had scored 3369 runs in 136 WODIs while playing for Pakistan.

Throughout 140 WT20Is, Maroof averaged 27.55 and scored 2893 runs.

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For the Pakistani team’s T20I against New Zealand, Haseebullah has replaced Azam Khan.

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In a brief press release, PCB said, “The national selection committee has announced wicketkeeper/batter Haseebullah as the replacement player for Azam Khan, who was sidelined from the T20I series against New Zealand due to a tear in his right calf muscle.”

The information indicates that Haseebullah will become a member of the Pakistan team following the third Twenty20 International, and he will be eligible to be selected for the two remaining Twenty20 Internationals, which are slated to take place in Lahore on Thursday and Saturday, respectively.

Earlier in the year, Haseebullah, 21, played in his only Twenty20 international match against New Zealand.

or the unfamiliar, Azam Khan was declared out of the whole series on Saturday after missing the first Twenty20 International because of pain in his right knee and right calf muscle.

According to PCB, “Azam Khan has been advised to undergo a 10-day rest following radiology reports confirming a Grade One tear of his right calf muscle.”

The announcement also stated, “Azam will therefore be unable to take part in the current Twenty20 International series against New Zealand, which concludes in Lahore on April 27.”

Notably, Mark Chapman’s incredible innings helped the visitors to an easy seven-wicket victory in the third Twenty20 International, tying the five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand at one.

Pakistan team for the Twenty20 Internationals in New Zealand

Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Babar Azam (c), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, and Muhammad Wasim Jr. are the reserve players.

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Rain cancels out Pakistan vs. New Zealand’s opening Twenty20 international

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As the rain returned, Shaheen Shah Afridi’s expertly timed in-swinger to dismiss Tim Robinson left only a two-ball match going on at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

On-field umpires Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza shook hands with the players and decided to call off the contest as soon as the rain started up again. Additionally, there was a thirty-minute delay in the planned fixture toss. Then, after winning the coin toss, Michael Bracewell, the captain of New Zealand, decided to bat first.

The players from both sides assembled shortly after for the national anthems, but more rain caused the proceedings to be postponed.

The match appeared likely to be called off before a ball was played due to the intensity of the second spell of rain. But after the rain stopped, the ground crew worked extremely hard, and the game might go into five overs.

The second game, which takes place at the same location on April 20, will pit the two teams against one another.

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