Pakistan Women to miss this player in Asian Games 2026. [Source - Sri Lanka Cricket]Pakistan have suffered a major blow at the Asian Games 2026, with star wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali ruled out of the remainder of the tournament as their campaign in Japan enters a crucial stage.Muneeba’s absence comes after Pakistan opened their campaign with a narrow quarter-final win over Thailand. The two-time gold medallists will now head into the semi-final without one of their senior players.Muneeba Ali Ruled Out Of Asian Games 2026Muneeba Ali has been ruled out of the Asian Games 2026 after the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter flew back home due to her mother’s illness. She did not feature in Pakistan’s opening match against Thailand either.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided not to name a replacement for Muneeba Ali. Muneeba, in fact, did not travel to Japan, as she returned directly to Pakistan from the UAE after the Women’s Asia Cup.The Women’s Asian Games 2026 is being played in a knockout format, leaving little time for squad changes. With the tournament set to conclude on September 22, Pakistan will continue their campaign without Muneeba and a replacement.Gull Feroza To Keep Wickets In Muneeba’s AbsenceGull Feroza kept wickets and opened the batting for Pakistan Women in their first Asian Games 2026 game against Thailand Women. With Muneeba Ali ruled out, Feroza is expected to continue behind the stumps.Notably, Feroza was Pakistan’s No. 3 batter during the recently concluded Women’s Asia Cup 2026. However, she has experience opening the innings too, having previously opened alongside Muneeba Ali at the T20 World Cup.With Muneeba ruled out, Pakistan are unlikely to make major changes to their batting order. Feroza’s ability to open and keep wickets gives Pakistan an immediate solution, while also continuing with the players in the current squad.Also Read: How Bangladesh Women Will Play Asian Games Semi Final Without Playing A Ball In Quarter Final?Muneeba Ali’s Absence Already Hurting PakistanMuneeba Ali’s ruling out from the remainder of Women's Asian Games 2026 leaves Pakistan without a senior player who has also led the side in the recent past. Her experience at the top of the order is another major loss for Pakistan.Muneeba has been among Pakistan’s most productive batters in 2026, scoring 450 runs at an average of 21.42, including two half-centuries. She is also Pakistan’s second-highest run-scorer this year, only behind skipper Fatima Sana.Her absence was therefore noticeable as Pakistan Women struggled against Thailand Women in the rain-shortened quarter-final match on Thursday. Thailand set Pakistan a target of 92 runs in 11 overs, but Pakistan literally crawled towards the target before eventually completing the chase with three wickets and two balls to spare. Their narrow win clearly highlighted the challenge ahead. The two-time Asian Games gold medallists will now face the winner of Sri Lanka versus Malaysia without Muneeba Ali on Sunday, September 20th.Also Read: Sourav Ganguly’s Name Dragged Into England Team’s 'Once-In-A-Lifetime' Punishment
