Six diaspora gamers set to affix Pakistan’s squad for AFC Girls’s Asian Cup qualifiers

This mix of photos reveals (from left) British-Pakistani midfielder Layla Banaras, England-based defenders Marsha Malik and Azwa Chaudhry. — Reporter

KARACHI: In a strategic transfer to strengthen its squad forward of the AFC Girls’s Asian Cup qualifiers, Pakistan’s ladies’s soccer workforce is ready to incorporate extra diaspora gamers within the squad, sources conversant in the choice course of advised Geo. 

The choice displays the administration’s push to area a extra aggressive aspect within the upcoming match.

The provisional squad, which has not but been formally introduced, options six new diaspora gamers with skilled expertise in European and North American leagues. 

British-Pakistani midfielder Layla Banaras, previously of Birmingham Metropolis, and Mariam Mahmood, a striker for England’s West Bromwich Albion, are among the many notable inclusions. 

Aqsa Mushtaq, who performs for Greek top-division aspect OFI Crete and has prior expertise in Italy’s Serie A, is anticipated to bolster the assault.

This mix of photos reveals (from left) Canada-based goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj, Greek top-division aspect OFI Crete participant Aqsa Mushtaq and striker for England’s West Bromwich Albion Mariam Mahmood. — Reporter

The squad additionally consists of Canada-based goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj (Northern Colorado Girls’s FC/USA WPSL), who beforehand performed in Portugal’s high league, together with England-based defenders Marsha Malik (Solihull Moors) and Azwa Chaudhry (West Ham United youth workforce).

A supply near the workforce choice mentioned, “Bringing in players with competitive league experience abroad is part of the plan to raise the team’s level before the qualifiers.”

The coaching camp is prone to start in Islamabad on June 19, with captain Maria Khan main the 22-player provisional squad. Pakistan will compete in Group E of the qualifiers, dealing with Chinese language 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.