ICC features Pakistan’s Sidra Amin in ‘batters tipped to shine’ in World Cup

Pakistan's Sidra Amin plays a shot off the bowling of England's Lauren Bell Cricket during the third ODI between England v Pakistan at County Cricket Ground in Chelmsford, Britain, on May 29, 2024. (REUTERS/File)
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Updated 30 September 2025
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ICC features Pakistan’s Sidra Amin in ‘batters tipped to shine’ in World Cup

  • ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup gets underway from today with India-Sri Lanka clash, will conclude on Nov. 2
  • Amin, 33, has 2,271 runs from 77 ODIs and has scored back-to-back centuries against South Africa this month

ISLAMABAD: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has included Pakistani cricketer Sidra Amin in its list of “batters tipped to shine” at the Women’s World Cup 2025, which is set to kick off from today, Tuesday, with the first contest scheduled between India and Sri Lanka. 

The 13th edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will take place from Sept. 30 to Nov. 2 in India and Sri Lanka. There are no groups at the Women’s World Cup, with all eight teams set to play seven matches during the group stage and the top four sides on the standings then progress to the knockout semifinal stage. 

Amin, 33, is a veteran Pakistani woman cricketer who has played 77 ODIs and 66 T20Is for her country. She has scored 2,271 runs in ODIs and 1,044 runs in the shortest format of the game and is considered one of the key players for Pakistan. The Pakistani woman cricketer scored back-to-back centuries against South Africa this year, cementing her status as one of the finest women batters in modern-day cricket. 

“In seven ODIs this year, she has crossed fifty more often than not and has been her country’s leading run-getter,” the ICC said in its latest report. “At 33, Sidra is finally combining experience with productivity and her calm approach at the top of the order will be beneficial for Pakistan.”

The cricket governing body said it would be fascinating to see how Amin takes on the best pacers during the world cup tournament. 

The article also features seven other batters, including Australia’s Beth Mooney, Bangladesh’s Sharmin Akhter Supta, England’s Natalie Sciver-Brunt, India’s Smriti Mandhana, New Zealand’s Georgia Plimmer, South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp and Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama as players to watch out for during the tournament. 

Mandhana reclaimed the top spot in the ICC ODI Batter Rankings earlier this year, scoring more than 800 runs in 2025 alone at an average above 60. 

“Mandhana already has over 4,800 ODI runs in her career and has become the most reliable opener India have produced since Mithali Raj,” the report said. “What makes her so important is not just the volume of runs but the timing of them.”

Pakistan begin their campaign for the world title against Bangladesh on Oct. 2. 


Saudi Arabia condemns deadly mosque bombing in Pakistan’s capital

Updated 06 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia condemns deadly mosque bombing in Pakistan’s capital

  • The Kingdom rejects targeting of places of worship, expresses solidarity with Pakistan
  • Saudi foreign ministry offers condolences to victims’ families, wishes injured recovery

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia on Friday condemned the suicide bombing that targeted a mosque in Islamabad, expressing solidarity with Pakistan after the attack killed and injured dozens on the outskirts of the capital.

The blast, which struck during Friday prayers, killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 160 others, according to Pakistani authorities.

In a statement issued by its foreign ministry, Saudi Arabia denounced the targeting of a place of worship and rejected all forms of violence and extremism.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad,” the statement said.

It added that the Kingdom stood firmly against attacks on civilians and places of worship and reaffirmed its support for Pakistan in confronting militant violence.

The ministry also extended condolences to the families of those killed and expressed sympathy with the Pakistani government and people, wishing the wounded a speedy recovery.

No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack, which Pakistani officials say is being investigated.