Pakistan’s selection panel has signaled a clear youth movement in its latest roster reveal for both the 2026 Women's Asia Cup and the 2026 Asian Games, most notably sidelining long-serving fast bowler Diana Baig from both campaigns. Seasoned campaigner Aliya Riaz also missed out on Asia Cup selection, though she managed to secure a spot for the subsequent Asian Games. These exclusions stem from disappointing World Cup outings—where Baig struggled to capture her usual form after early benching, and Riaz registered a meager 37 runs alongside notable fielding lapses—which had already seen the pair dropped during the recent Sri Lanka T20Is.
Diana Baig dropped from Pakistan's Women's Asia Cup, Asian Games squads
Taking charge once again, captain Fatima Sana rejoins the national side following her brief sabbatical in The Hundred to lead a revamped fast-bowling unit. Supporting her are Saira Jabeen, Waheeda Akhtar, and Tasmia Rubab. Jabeen holds a spot in both touring parties, whereas Akhtar will feature during the Asia Cup in Dubai before making way for Rubab at the Asian Games in Japan. Moving past Baig—a core figure in the setup since 2015—underscores a deliberate strategy by the selectors to groom the next generation of pace talent.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has revealed two slightly different 15-player rosters for their upcoming assignments, with wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi and left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal joining the group exclusively for the Asia Cup. The PCB noted that the Asian Games roster was finalized back in June, which explains Aliya Riaz's inclusion there despite her recent dip in form during the T20 World Cup—a timing detail suggesting her international future may also be on thin ice alongside Diana Baig’s.
This overhaul comes on the heels of a bleak run of form, with Pakistan managing just two victories across their last 10 completed T20Is. A dismal World Cup campaign saw them drop four out of five matches, securing their lone win against the Netherlands, before suffering a series loss in Sri Lanka and early defeats to Ireland and the West Indies in Dublin.
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Looking ahead to the Asia Cup, Pakistan finds itself in a group alongside India, Hong Kong, and Thailand. They kick off their tournament against Thailand on September 1, followed by a high-stakes clash against arch-rivals India on September 5, and wrap up group play against Hong Kong on September 7. Later that month, their Asian Games campaign begins in the knockout stage, where they are scheduled to clash with Thailand in the fourth quarter-final on September 17.
Pakistan women's squad for Asian Games:
Fatima Sana (capt), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.
Reserves: Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim
Pakistan women's squad for Asia Cup:
Fatima Sana (capt), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.
Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Sadaf Shamas