An unexpected family emergency has forced Pakistan to adjust their squad mid-tournament at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali was required to return home to attend to her ailing mother, leaving the team without one of their primary options behind the stumps. Given the fast-paced knockout structure of the event and the tight window before its September 22 conclusion, the Pakistan Cricket Board opted against calling up a substitute, citing the tight logistical timeframe.
Pakistan's Muneeba returns home amidst Asian Games due to mother's illness
In Muneeba’s absence, Gull Feroza has stepped up to handle dual responsibilities, taking over the gloves while taking on opening duties as she demonstrated in the campaign opener against Thailand. This shift sees Feroza returning to the top of the order—a role she previously filled alongside Muneeba during the earlier T20 World Cup, where she capped off her tournament with an unbeaten 63 against the Netherlands, after having recently slotted in at number three during the Asia Cup in Dubai.
As one of the most experienced figures in the squad, Muneeba's presence will be sorely missed, particularly given her status as the sole Pakistani batter to register a fifty during the recent Asia Cup. Her leadership credentials are equally established, having recently captained the national side during July's T20I series in Sri Lanka while regular skipper Fatima Sana was away competing for the Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
Pakistan survive Thailand scare to make Asian Games semis
Talking about the match, Pakistan scrape past Thailand by three wickets in an 11-over thriller. After choosing to field, Pakistan immediately broke Thailand's opening pair when captain Fatima Sana struck on her second delivery to remove Natthakan Chantham for six. However, Nannapat Koncharoenkai stabilized the Thai innings, compiling a brilliant 49 off 38 balls. Alongside Phannita Maya, who contributed 15 before being tactically retired out, Koncharoenkai anchored a formidable 65-run second-wicket partnership. Late hitting from Naruemol Chaiwai—who smashed a quickfire 10 off three balls—pushed the total upward, but Fatima returned in the final over to trap Koncharoenkai leg-before, denying her a fifty and closing out a spell of 2 for 22 as Thailand set a 92-run target.
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Pakistan's pursuit got off to a flyer thanks to a rapid 36-run opening stand between Shawaal Zulfiqar and Gull Feroza. Shawaal led the charge with a lively 25 off 14 deliveries before Thailand's attack seized momentum, sparking a fierce collapse that netted four wickets for just 11 runs across a 13-ball stretch. Stranded at 47-4 by the end of the powerplay, Pakistan leaned on Fatima, who promoted herself to number four and turned the tide by blasting 21 off 13 balls. Her primary assault came in the eighth over, taking Onnicha Kamchomphu for four consecutive boundaries before Eyman Fatima capped off a massive 25-run over with a six. Just as the chase settled, Thailand mounted another late surge, dismissing Fatima in the ninth over before removing both Eyman and Tuba Hassan in the tenth. Fortunately for Pakistan, Tuba had already done crucial damage, executing a six and a four in the penultimate over to reduce the equation from 16 off 12 to a manageable four runs required off the final six balls. Umm-e-Hani and Eman Naseer calmly navigated the final over, smartly trading four consecutive singles to punch Pakistan's ticket to the semi-finals.