![Muneeba Ali will captain Pakistan in the upcoming tournament [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793079586400_MuneebaAliforPakistan.jpg?type=hq)
Muneeba Ali will captain Pakistan in the upcoming tournament [Source: AFP]
Pakistan have turned to a familiar face to take charge of their next international assignment, with Muneeba Ali set to lead the side at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 in Ajman, UAE.
The wicketkeeper-batter will step into the captaincy role in November as Pakistan Women prepare for the 10-team competition. Muneeba replaces Fatima Sana, and in her absence, she will be responsible for carrying her team forward in the prestigious tournament.
Muneeba Ali returns as captain in Fatima Sana’s absence
Muneeba Ali will captain Pakistan in the upcoming tournament as regular skipper Fatima Sana remains unavailable due to her commitments with Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League.
The upcoming tournament will be the second time this year that Muneeba has taken over the captaincy from Sana. She previously led Pakistan during the T20I leg of their tour of Sri Lanka in July, when Sana was representing Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
Muneeba’s appointment also brings her back into the squad after she missed the Asian Games due to personal reasons. She will have the responsibility of guiding a side that features several familiar faces from Pakistan’s recent international campaigns.
Batter Ayesha Zafar has been appointed vice-captain, giving Pakistan another experienced batting option in the leadership group.
Pakistan name 14-member squad for November tournament
Pakistan have also selected a 14-member squad for the Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, retaining much of the group that represented the country in the Women’s Asia Cup before the Asian Games.
However, there are a few changes to the combination, with all-rounder Aliya Riaz and pacer Humna Bilal missing out after featuring in the Asian Games squad.
Waheeda Akhtar and Sadaf Shamas, who were part of Pakistan’s Asia Cup contingent but did not feature in the Asian Games squad, have earned recalls. Their inclusion adds to the options available to the team as it prepares for the competition in the UAE.
Pakistan squad for 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 and Waheeda Akhtar.
The squad will gather in Lahore on November 6 before beginning a three-day training camp scheduled for November 7 to 9. Pakistan will then travel to the UAE for the tournament, which gets underway on November 12 and will feature 10 teams.
