Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Rameen Shamim — Bringing quiet control to Pakistan’s spin attack

If there’s one thing Pakistan women’s cricket takes pride in, it’s the country’s enduring bowling legacy, particularly its spinners.

From the pioneering days of Sana Mir, Nida Dar, Sadia Yousuf, and Shaiza Khan, each generation has handed over the baton with quiet assurance. Today, that responsibility rests firmly on the shoulders of Nashra Sandhu and Sadia Iqbal.

ALSO READ | ‘I take the blame’, says Smriti Mandhana after India’s heartbreaking loss to England

The two left-arm orthodox spinners, similar in age but worlds apart in experience, have become the heart of Pakistan’s bowling attack. They were key in its successful Qualifier campaign, accounting for 19 wickets between them.

Yet, with Nida stepping away, the team lacked the off-spin presence that once anchored the attack, especially ahead of the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. That is where Rameen Shamim entered the equation.

Quiet impact

The 29-year-old made her international debut in 2019 against England but remained on the fringes. That she played sporadically between 2019 and 2021 underscores her quiet dominance in domestic cricket, where she continued to hone her craft.

From being adjudged ‘bowler of the tournament’ in Pakistan’s National Women’s One-Day Cup 2024 (20 wickets in nine matches) to leading the Pakistan A team, Shamim’s persistence earned her a return to the national setup.

She was included in the 15-member Qualifier squad, where Pakistan remained unbeaten, finishing atop the standings with five wins from as many matches. The breakthroughs came from Sandhu and Iqbal, but Shamim was the steady hand ensuring it didn’t slip away.

ALSO READ | Laura Wolvaardt—Leading South Africa’s rise from rock bottom

The wickets column reads just six, but her influence in the middle overs was decisive. She controlled the tempo, keeping her economy below three in all but the first two games. Her best performance in that tournament — three for 18 against Thailand at an economy of 2.34 — is also the best of her career so far.

“The way Nashra and Sadia support me as a spinner is remarkable. The spin bowling attack revolves around both of them. I enjoy bowling with my seniors. Sadia mostly bowls with the new ball, and in the middle, it is me and Nashra. They play a vital role in my performance,” she said.

Shamim may be modest about her contributions, but she complements the senior pair’s impact in the middle overs.

Leaving her mark

Shamim has played the same role in every World Cup match Pakistan has played so far. While the team’s form has fluctuated, individual performances have offered encouraging takeaways.

The fact that she and Iqbal are playing their first World Cup hasn’t changed the way they approach their game. 

The two have been more efficient than the experienced Sandhu, each claiming five wickets in five innings. Among the trio, Shamim boasts the second-lowest economy (3.70), only behind Iqbal (3.62), while conceding the fewest runs.

ALSO READ | Calm and understated Brooke Halliday a vital cog in New Zealand’s impending transition

Since the 2022 World Cup, among Pakistan spinners who have played more than 10 matches, Shamim has the second-lowest economy (3.53) and dot-ball percentage (59.0), only behind Iqbal, and also boasts the lowest boundary percentage (4.60).

Since her ODI debut, she has the third-lowest career economy (4.21) amongst Pakistani bowlers — a remarkable feat given that she has fared better than the likes of Nida, Ghulam Fatima, and the prodigious skipper Fatima Sana.

Her consistency has been crucial in keeping Pakistan competitive, even as the team’s overall World Cup run hasn’t met expectations. “Our aim is just to win the last two matches,” Shamim said.

“It doesn’t matter what happens for the semis, this is not our control. We just want to win those upcoming matches and leave our mark.” 

Shamim often operates away from the spotlight, but her calm control sets the rhythm that keeps Pakistan ticking, in tune with its proud lineage of spinners.

Published on Oct 21, 2025