Islamabad: Pakistan’s women’s cricket team has departed for the Asian Games, where they will begin their campaign against Thailand in the quarter-finals on September 17 at Korogi Athletic Park in Aichi.

Captain Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan’s squad at the tournament, with the team aiming to build on its record as two-time Asian Games women’s cricket champions.

The quarter-final against Thailand is scheduled for September 17, followed by the semi-finals on September 20. The bronze-medal and gold-medal matches will be played on September 22.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said Muneeba Ali Siddiqui was unable to travel with the team because of her mother’s illness.

The squad includes Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.

Pakistan have won two gold medals in women’s cricket at the Asian Games. They claimed the title in 2010 and retained it in 2014.

At the most recent edition of the Games in 2022, Pakistan finished fourth.

The women’s cricket competition will conclude on September 22 with the bronze-medal and gold-medal matches.