Pakistan’s women cricket team is gearing up for a new beginning as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the 15-member squads for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and the women’s cricket event at the upcoming 20th Asian Games. This was announced on Sunday.
Regular captain Fatima Sana is back to lead the team in both competitions after missing the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka due to her participation in The Hundred, where she played for Birmingham Phoenix. Her return is a significant boost for Pakistan, who are looking to bounce back from a tough T20 World Cup.
In the World Cup, Pakistan managed only one win out of five group matches, ending fifth in Group 1 with just two points. The team faced tough losses in their first three games against India, South Africa, and Bangladesh, followed by a heavy 113-run defeat against Australia. They ended the tournament on a slightly positive note with a 37-run victory against the Netherlands.
Fatima’s Leadership as Pakistan Aims to Rebuild
The Asia Cup is scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 13 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan has been placed in Group A alongside Hong Kong, China, India, and Thailand. Their campaign will kick off against Thailand on September 1, followed by a match against India on September 5, and a game against Hong Kong, China, on September 7.
This squad announcement comes after Pakistan’s recent setback in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, where they lost 2-1. Muneeba Ali captained the team in Fatima’s absence.
For the Asian Games, Pakistan is seeded alongside Thailand and will compete against them in the fourth quarter-final on September 17. Pakistan previously won gold medals at the Asian Games in 2010 and 2014 but finished fourth in the 2022 edition, leaving them eager to reclaim a spot on the podium.
The squads for both tournaments see Fatima Sana joined by several key players: Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Saira Jabeen, Eyman Fatima, Eman Naseer, Umm-e-Hani, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sundhu, and Momina Riasat.
Additional players include Najiha Alvi, Waheeda Akhtar, and Sadia Iqbal for the Asia Cup, while Aliya Riaz, Tasmia Rubab, and Humna Bilal will join the squad for the Asian Games.
Pakistan Women’s Squad for Women’s Asia Cup
- Captain: Fatima Sana
- Players: Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani
- Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Sadaf Shamas
Pakistan Women’s Squad for Asian Games
- Captain: Fatima Sana
- Players: Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani
- Reserves: Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim
With their captain back at the helm, the Pakistan women’s cricket team is eager to make a strong showing in the upcoming competitions.
