Muneeba Ali to captain Pakistan in ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy

Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali has been appointed to lead Pakistan’s women’s side at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, scheduled to be held in Ajman, UAE in November 2026. The ten-team competition gets underway on November 12, and Pakistan’s preparations will begin with the squad assembling in Lahore on November 6 for a three-day training camp from November 7 to 9, after which the group will depart for the UAE.

Regular skipper Fatima Sana has been ruled out of the tournament owing to her WBBL commitments with Perth Scorchers, which overlap with the event. With Sana unavailable, Muneeba steps into the leadership role for the second time in 2026. Her first stint at the helm came during the T20I leg of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in July, when Sana was away representing Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.

The tournament also marks Muneeba’s return to the Pakistan setup. She had been absent from the squad that competed at the Asian Games due to personal reasons, making her inclusion in this 14-member group a significant comeback. Batter Ayesha Zafar has been named vice-captain for the Ajman assignment.

Which players have been left out or recalled compared to recent squads?

The 14-member group assembled for the Emerging Nations Trophy draws heavily from the combination that represented Pakistan at the Women’s Asia Cup, held just before the Asian Games. However, two players who were part of the Asian Games contingent have not been retained: all-rounder Aliya Riaz and pacer Humna Bilal are both absent from this selection.

Conversely, two players who featured in the Women’s Asia Cup but were not picked for the Asian Games have been brought back into the fold. Waheeda Akhtar and Sadaf Shamas have both been recalled and are included in the squad travelling to Ajman. Barring Sana’s unavailability, the remainder of the group closely mirrors the Asia Cup combination that preceded the Asian Games.

Pakistan’s full squad for the ICC 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.