KARACHI: In a strategic move to strengthen its squad ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, Pakistan’s women’s football team is set to include more diaspora players in the squad, sources familiar with the selection process told Geo.
The decision reflects the management’s push to field a more competitive side in the upcoming tournament.
The provisional squad, which has not yet been officially announced, features six new diaspora players with professional experience in European and North American leagues.
British-Pakistani midfielder Layla Banaras, formerly of Birmingham City, and Mariam Mahmood, a striker for England’s West Bromwich Albion, are among the notable inclusions.
Aqsa Mushtaq, who plays for Greek top-division side OFI Crete and has prior experience in Italy’s Serie A, is expected to bolster the attack.
The squad also includes Canada-based goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj (Northern Colorado Women’s FC/USA WPSL), who previously played in Portugal’s top league, along with England-based defenders Marsha Malik (Solihull Moors) and Azwa Chaudhry (West Ham United youth team).
A source close to the team selection said, “Bringing in players with competitive league experience abroad is part of the plan to raise the team’s level before the qualifiers.”
The training camp is likely to begin in Islamabad on June 19, with captain Maria Khan leading the 22-player provisional squad. Pakistan will compete in Group E of the qualifiers, facing Chinese Taipei (June 29), Indonesia (July 2), and Kyrgyzstan (July 5).
Provisional Squad for camp: Alia Sadiq, Amina Hanif, Anmol Hira, Aqsa Mushtaq , Azwa Chaudhry, Isra Khan, Jennah Farooki, Layla Banaras, Maria Khan (Captain), Mariam Mahmood, Nadia Khan, Nisha Ashraf, Nizalia Siddiqui, Rameen Fareed, Sanah Mehdi, Sara Khan, Sophiya Qureshi, Suha Hirani, Zeeyana Jivraj, Zehmena Malik, Marsha Malik and Zufia Nazeer.
