Image Credit- PCB
Nida Dar, the captain of Pakistan, will not play in
the second women’s ODI against New Zealand because she has concussion symptoms
after suffering a facial injury in the previous match. Pakistan’s fast bowler
Fatima Sana, 22, will lead the team on Friday; Dar’s availability for the third
game is yet unknown.
The shot struck Sophie Devine in the face while Dar
was bowling the second ball of her seventh over, the 44th of the New Zealand
batting in the opening ODI. Prior to being removed off the pitch, she received
medical assistance, and it has been recommended that she rest for the next two
days.
On Friday, Sana will take the pitch for the first time
as captain in Christchurch. She captained Pakistan to the semi-finals of the
ACC Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup in June. Fatima guided PCB Blasters to
victory in the T20 Women’s Cricket Tournament in domestic cricket.
“It is an honour to lead the Pakistan women’s
side in ODIs, although the circumstances are unfortunate with Nida Dar’s
injury,” Fatima said in a statement. “She has been an inspiration,
and I wish her a speedy recovery.
“We had a historic T20I series win against New
Zealand, and I know the players are eager to perform well in the ODI series
too. Although we didn’t have a good outing in the first ODI, we are all geared
up to excel in tomorrow’s game.”
Along with Dar, Pakistan has also been hampered by
injuries sustained in New Zealand, namely Diana Baig and Shawaal Zulfiqar. Baig
had surgery on her bowling arm’s index finger after being forced to miss the
ODI series because of a finger injury she had during a practice on the eve of
the opening game. She has four weeks off from competitive cricket.