Late blow for Pakistan: Alvi out injured, Shamas drafted in for Asia Cup

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi has been ruled out of the upcoming Women's T20 Asia Cup due to a knee injury, with right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas named as her replacement.

Alvi Ruled Out: Alvi reported pain in her posterior left knee, and medical scans indicated a possible sprain. Her rehabilitation programme is expected to take up to four weeks.

Shamas Drafted In: Shamas, who was originally in the reserve pool, moves into the main 15-player squad. While she hasn't played a T20I since October 2024, she has scored 488 runs across nine ODI innings this year, including a century and four fifties.

Tournament Schedule: The Women's Asia Cup takes place in Dubai from August 28 to September 13. Pakistan are in Group A alongside India, Thailand, and Hong Kong, opening their campaign against Thailand on September 1.Alvi Ruled Out: Alvi reported pain in her posterior left knee, and medical scans indicated a possible sprain. Her rehabilitation programme is expected to take up to four weeks.

Shamas Drafted In: Shamas, who was originally in the reserve pool, moves into the main 15-player squad. While she hasn't played a T20I since October 2024, she has scored 488 runs across nine ODI innings this year, including a century and four fifties.

Tournament Schedule: The Women's Asia Cup takes place in Dubai from August 28 to September 13. Pakistan are in Group A alongside India, Thailand, and Hong Kong, opening their campaign against Thailand on September 1.

Squad: Fatima Sana (c), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.

Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees.