ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wicketkeeper Sidra Nawaz earned a major accolade on Tuesday as she was named in the ICC Women’s World Cup Team of the Tournament, becoming the only cricketer selected from a team that did not make it to the semi-finals.
The selection comes after a stellar campaign in which Sidra recorded the most dismissals of the tournament, showcasing exceptional wicketkeeping skills despite Pakistan’s early exit. Her standout performances included four stumpings — two of which came against Australia — with one, in particular, against Kim Garth described by the ICC as among the best dismissals of the competition.
The ICC’s announcement also named South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt as captain of the Team of the Tournament. Wolvaardt set a new record for most runs in a single Women’s World Cup edition with 571 runs at an average of 71.37, topping the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings. She was joined by teammates Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, both key contributors to South Africa’s campaign.
Kapp, playing her fifth World Cup, delivered a sensational all-round performance, highlighted by a five-wicket haul (5/20) in the semi-final and an unbeaten 68 against Pakistan. De Klerk impressed with consistent wicket-taking and a memorable unbeaten 84 off 54 balls versus India.
India, who lifted the trophy after defeating South Africa by 52 runs in the final, saw three players make the list — Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Deepti Sharma, who was also named Player of the Tournament. Mandhana’s 434-run tally included a century against New Zealand, while Rodrigues’ unbeaten 127 in the semi-final was pivotal to India’s triumph. Deepti Sharma shone as the leading wicket-taker and scored vital runs, including a match-winning 5/39 and 58 in the final.
Australia also had three players named — Annabel Sutherland, Alana King, and Ash Gardner. Sutherland finished as the team’s leading wicket-taker, while King’s incredible 7/18 against South Africa set a World Cup record. Gardner, meanwhile, impressed with explosive batting, including a 69-ball century against England.
England’s Sophie Ecclestone, the top-ranked ODI bowler, and all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt rounded out the list. Ecclestone’s 16 wickets and control during the middle overs were crucial for England, while Sciver-Brunt, named as the 12th player, provided balance with both bat and ball throughout the tournament.
Sidra Nawaz’s inclusion highlights Pakistan’s growing presence in women’s cricket, underscoring her world-class skill behind the stumps and consistency on the global stage.
