KARACHI, June 13 (Alliance News): In a strategic push to enhance its competitiveness for the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers, Pakistan’s women’s football team is set to include six new diaspora players with professional experience from Europe and North America, sources confirmed on Thursday.
The provisional squad, though yet to be officially announced, includes several high-profile additions such as British-Pakistani midfielder Layla Banaras (formerly of Birmingham City) and striker Mariam Mahmood (West Bromwich Albion).
Their inclusion, along with others, underscores the management’s aim to elevate the team’s international performance.
Aqsa Mushtaq, currently playing for Greek club OFI Crete and formerly active in Italy’s Serie A, is expected to strengthen the forward line, while Canada-based goalkeeper Zeeyana Jivraj (Northern Colorado Women’s FC, USA WPSL) brings top-tier experience, having also played in Portugal.
The defensive lineup gets a boost with England-based Marsha Malik (Solihull Moors) and Azwa Chaudhry (West Ham United youth setup). A total of 22 players have been called for the training camp, which will begin in Islamabad on June 19, with Maria Khan continuing as team captain.
“The idea is to bring in players who’ve been competing at a higher level to raise our game before the qualifiers,” a source familiar with the selection process told Alliance News.
Pakistan has been placed in Group E and will face Chinese Taipei on June 29, Indonesia on July 2, and Kyrgyzstan on July 5 in the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Provisional Squad:
Alia Sadiq, Amina Hanif, Anmol Hira, Aqsa Mushtaq, Azwa Chaudhry, Isra Khan, Jennah Farooki, Layla Banaras, Maria Khan (C), Mariam Mahmood, Nadia Khan, Nisha Ashraf, Nizalia Siddiqui, Rameen Fareed, Sanah Mehdi, Sara Khan, Sophiya Qureshi, Suha Hirani, Zeeyana Jivraj, Zehmena Malik, Marsha Malik, Zufia Nazeer.
