Pakistan unveil new-look T20I squad with Muneeba as captain

Muneeba Ali has been named captain of a new-look Pakistan T20I squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, with regular skipper Bismah Maroof absent.

Captaincy change

Muneeba Ali will lead the side in Bismah Sana’s absence. It’s her first stint as T20I captain. Pakistan have brought in several fresh faces and made changes, signaling a reset in the T20I setup. The squad has been picked for the T20I series vs Sri Lanka. The focus will be on giving opportunities to new players while Muneeba provides experience at the top.

Muneeba has captained Pakistan once before in T20I cricket, for a game against Australia in 2024. The series against Sri Lanka is the first after a miserable T20 World Cup for Pakistan, where they lost four of their five games, their only victory coming in a dead rubber against Netherlands after both sides had been eliminated.

Pakistan have rung the changes in the T20 squad as a result. Aliya Riaz and Iram Javed, whose inclusions at the time came under scrutiny, have been dropped. Diana Baig, who played a limited role during the tournament, also does not make either the T20 or the ODI squads.

Pakistan have named a refreshed squad for the Sri Lanka tour, with 3 uncapped players and 3 recalls included. All matches will be in Hambantota.

Najiha Alvi, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar return to the squad. Fixtures ODI series: 3 matches from July 23 to 28 T20I series: 3 matches from July 31 to August 4 Venue: All 6 games at Hambantota.

Pakistan ODI squad: Fatima Sana (capt), Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhter

Pakistan T20I squad: Muneeba Ali (capt&wk), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar