Muneeba Ali to lead Pakistan in Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy

Muneeba Ali, a wicketkeeper and batswoman, will lead Pakistan at the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy in Ajman, UAE, in November. Due to commitments with Perth Scorchers in the WBBL, Pakistan's regular skipper, Fatima Sana, will not be able to participate in the tournament.

Muneeba is serving as captain for Sana for the second time this year. During Sana's participation in The Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix, she led Pakistan during the T20I portion of their tour of Sri Lanka in July. In addition, Muneeba will compete for the first time in the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy after withdrawing from the Asian Games for personal reasons.

While all-rounder Aliya Riaz and pacer Humna Bilal have been dropped from the Asian Games squad, batter Ayesha Zafar has been promoted to vice captain. Barring Sana’s absence, the rest of the 14-member squad is similar to the one that featured in the Women’s Asia Cup that preceded the Asian Games. Waheeda Akhtar and Sadaf Shamas, who were part of the Asia Cup squad but not the Asian Games, have also been named.

Before heading to the United Arab Emirates, the team will gather in Lahore on November 6 for a three-day training camp from November 7 to 9. On November 12, the tournament for ten teams will begin.

Pakistan squad for Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026: Muneeba Ali (captain), Ayesha Zafar (vice-captain), Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar