Pakistan have announced that Muneeba Ali will captain the side for the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, scheduled to take place next month in Ajman, UAE. The 14-player team, unveiled this week, remains largely unchanged from their recent campaign at the Asian Games in Japan, where they secured a bronze medal.
Fatima Sana, Pakistan’s regular captain, will not participate in the 10-team competition from 12 to 25 November, as she is set to fulfil commitments with the Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). This will mark her debut in the prestigious Australian league.
Ayesha Zafar, appointed vice-captain, will bolster the batting along with Gull Feroza, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Eyman Fatima, and Saira Jabeen. Eman Naseer, aged 19, who first represented Pakistan in a T20I series in Sri Lanka earlier this year, is also included. Muneeba led Pakistan during that series too.
In the bowling ranks, left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu stands out as Pakistan’s most seasoned player, being the only Pakistani currently among the top-10 ICC women’s T20I bowlers. She will be supported by spinners Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Momina Riasat, while Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar will handle fast-bowling duties. Sadaf Shamas and Waheeda Akhtar make their return to the squad following absence from the Asian Games.
Pakistan will debut in the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which has expanded from eight teams to ten this year. Divided into two groups of five, the top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, followed by semi-finals and a final.
Included in Group B, alongside defending champions Thailand, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Zimbabwe, Pakistan will kick off their tournament against Bangladesh on the opening day.
Pakistan Squad for Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy:
Muneeba Ali (captain & wicketkeeper), Ayesha Zafar (vice-captain), Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicketkeeper), Momina Riasat, Nashra Sandhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
