Pakistan name Muneeba Ali captain for women’s Emerging nations Trophy 2026, Fatima Sana to miss tournament

Pakistan have named wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali as captain for the upcoming ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, scheduled to be held in Ajman, UAE, from November 12. Muneeba will lead the side in the absence of regular skipper Fatima Sana, who will miss the tournament due to her commitments with Perth Scorchers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL).

This will be the second time this year that Muneeba has taken over the captaincy from Sana. She previously led Pakistan during the T20I leg of their tour of Sri Lanka in July, when Sana was representing Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.

Muneeba will also return to Pakistan’s squad for the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy after missing the Asian Games due to personal reasons. Batter Ayesha Zafar has been appointed vice-captain for the tournament.

Pakistan announce 14-member squad

Pakistan have named a 14-member squad for the competition. All-rounder Aliya Riaz and pacer Humna Bilal have been left out of the squad that featured at the Asian Games.

Apart from Sana’s absence, the squad largely resembles the one that represented Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup before the Asian Games. Waheeda Akhtar and Sadaf Shamas, who were part of the Asia Cup squad but missed the Asian Games, have also been included.

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 and Waheeda Akhtar.

Pakistan to begin preparations in Lahore

The Pakistan squad will assemble in Lahore on November 6 for a training camp scheduled from November 7 to 9. The team will then travel to the UAE for the ten-team tournament, which begins on November 12.