Pakistan selectors had to make a last-minute change to their squad for Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026. Wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi has been ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. Part of the reserves, Sadaf Shamas has been named as Najiha's replacement.
“Najiha reported pain in her posterior left knee, while later the scans revealed a possible sprain in it,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
“Following an assessment by the PCB’s medical team, Najiha is set to begin her rehabilitation programme immediately which is expected to last up to four weeks.”
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Sadaf’s T20I return and underwhelming record
Sadaf is a regular in the ODI squad but she hasn't played a T20I since ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 in Dubai. The 27-year-old has played 12 T20Is so far and scored just 61 runs at an average of 6.10 and a strike rate of 70.93. Her highest T20I score of 35 from 24 balls came against England in an unsuccessful run chase. She has scored in double digits twice in her T20I career. She has four ducks in T20Is so far.
Pakistan’s squad for Women's T20 Asia Cup
Fatima Sana (c), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali (wk), Nashra Sandhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadaf Shamas.
Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees.
Pakistan’s Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 schedule
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside Thailand, India and Hong Kong. Pakistan will begin their T20 Asia Cup 2026 campaign against Thailand on September 1. On September 7, they take on arch-rivals India. Then, they face Hong Kong on September 7. All the matches will be played in Dubai.
Pakistan’s Women’s T20 Asia Cup record
Pakistan had finished as runner-ups in the previous two editions of the T20 Asia Cup. They finished third in 2018 edition. T20 or ODI format, Pakistan have never won the Asia Cup.