"It is a great honour for me to lead my country into another World Cup. I am thrilled to be back in action." © Getty
Bismah Maroof will captain Pakistan at the forthcoming Women's World Cup in New Zealand. The event will mark Maroof's return to the game after two years out, part of it on a maternity break. In keeping with PCB's new parental policy, Maroof will be accompanied by a support person to help look after the newborn during the tournament.

The 15-member squad announced on Monday (January 24) has no place for the injured Kainat Imtiaz and Sadia Iqbal, who had been named in the squad for the World Cup Qualifiers, a tournament subsequently cancelled due to the pandemic.

Instead, call-ups have been issued to legspinner Ghulam Fatima, who last played for Pakistan in 2018, and opener Nahida Khan following the pair's strong showing in the practice games at Karachi. Nida Dar will serve as Maroof's deputy.

Pakistan squad: Bismah Maroof (captain), Nida Dar (vice-captain), Aiman Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nahida Khan, Nashra Sandhu, Omaima Sohail, Sidra Amin and Sidra Nawaz
Traveling reserves: Iram Javed, Najiha Alvi and Tuba Hassan
"While we have retained majority of the players who have been on the national duty recently, we have called back Nahida Khan and Ghulam Fatima," Asmavia Iqbal, chair of the selection committee said.

"Nahida brings with her experience that every team seeks going into a World Cup and Fatima has had an incredible run in Karachi. She has done well to enhance her fitness and has been in good form in domestic cricket of late."

Reacting to her reinstatement in the team, Maroof said: "It is a great honour for me to lead my country into another World Cup. I am thrilled to be back in action and do what I love and have dedicated my life to.

"The recent selection matches proved to be fruitful for me and the whole side as we got some match practice under a competitive and challenging environment leading into the mega event. The aim is to reach the World Cup semi-finals and I believe this team has the potential to pull it off."

Pakistan's squad and the traveling reserves will be part of a 10-day camp in Karachi starting January 27 and will depart for New Zealand on February 8. They'll open their quest for a maiden World Cup title against India on March 6 at the Bay Oval in Tauranga.