South Africa's star Sune Luus steps down as captain ahead of Pakistan tour

In shocking news for South African cricket fans, the star all-rounder Sune Luus decided to quit the captaincy for the national women's side. She made this decision just when the squad announcement by the selectors for the upcoming Pakistan tour for the three-match T20I and ODI series was to be made.

Notably, she led the Proteas to the title clash of the T20 Women’s World Cup 2023 in their backyard. Meanwhile, it has also been learned in the media reports that Cricket South Africa will work ahead in the appointment of a new skipper as the squad is all set to board a flight to Pakistan within the next few days.

Amidst all this, the young wicketkeeper-batter Mieke de Ridder is one of the prime contenders to take over the captaincy duties after Sune Luus decide to quit the role. The ODI series against Pakistan is going to be very crucial for both South African Women as it will be a part of the Women’s Championship 2022-25 cycle.

Here’s a look at the schedule of the South Africa tour of Pakistan:

1^st September, 1^st T20I, National Stadium, Karachi

3^rd September, 2^nd T20I, National Stadium, Karachi

5^th September, 3^rd T20I, National Stadium, Karachi

8^th September, 1^st ODI, National Stadium, Karachi

11^th September, 2^nd ODI, National Stadium, Karachi

14^th September, 3^rd ODI, National Stadium, Karachi

Here’s a look at the South Africa squad for the Pakistan tour:

Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Delmi Tucker, and Laura Wolvaardt.

Pakistan squad for T20Is and ODIs against South Africa:

ODIs:

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Ghulam Fatima, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz (wk), Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

Standby – Najiha Alvi, Natalia Parvaiz and Tuba Hassan.

T20Is:

Nida Dar (c), Aliya Riaz, Bismah Maroof, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, and Umm-e-Hani.

Standby – Anoosha Nasir, Omaima Sohail, and Waheeda Akhtar.