Muneeba to lead Pakistan in Emerging Nations Trophy

The tournament features 10 teams competing across two groups, with the top six advancing to the Super Six stage

Muneeba Ali will lead Pakistan in the upcoming ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 as Pakistan Cricket Board announced a 14-member squad on Tuesday for the tournament which is set to be staged in Ajman, United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 12 to 25 November. 

Batter Ayesha Zafar has been named vice-captain, while Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen and Shawaal Zulfiqar are the batters named in the squad. Gull Feroza, who was named best wicketkeeper-batter in the recently concluded National Women’s T20 Tournament, is also part of the team. 

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu will lead the bowling attack with Momina Riasat, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani forming the spin bowling quartet. Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar are the frontline pace options in the squad. 

Pakistan women’s team most recently won the Bronze Medal in the Asian Games in Japan. 12 players have retained their place in the squad from Pakistan’s last assignment, while Sadaf and Waheeda have been recalled. Pakistan will also be without regular captain Fatima Sana as she will be in Australia to feature in her maiden Women’s Big Bash League season.

The 30-match tournament comprises of 10 teams divided into two groups. Pakistan are in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Thailand, Netherlands and Zimbabwe. Group A consists of Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland Papua New Guinea and hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

Following single-league round-robin stage, three teams from each group will progress to the Super Six stage, where they will play three matches each. The top two teams of the Super Six stage will play the final on Wednesday, 25 November. 

Pakistan squad will assemble in Lahore on 6 November and will undergo a pre-tournament training camp on 7, 8 and 9 November before departing for UAE. 

14-member squad:

Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (captain, wk), Ayesha Zafar (vice-captain), Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wk), Momina Riasat, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar

Player support personnel 

Wahab Riaz (mentor), Ayesha Ashar (team manager), Abdur Rehman (spin bowling coach), Umaid Asif (fast bowling coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Imran Farhat (batting coach), Waleed Ahmed (performance analyst), Moeen (strength & conditioning coach) and Dur Samand (physiotherapist)