Pakistan Women's team celebrating [Source: AFP]Pakistan Women are set to face their biggest challenge of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 when they take on arch-rivals India Women in the 9th match of the tournament's Group A at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday, September 5. The match is scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM IST.Pakistan have made a winning start to their campaign and currently sit second in Group A with two points from one match. However, their next assignment is considerably tougher, with India already securing two wins from two matches and sitting at the top of the table with four points and an impressive net run rate of 5.775.The Pakistan side will therefore need to get their combinations right against a well-rounded Indian team. Hence, let’s take a look at Pakistan Women's predicted playing XI vs India Women in the Women's Asia Cup 2026.Openers and Top Order: Muneeba Ali, Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Saira JabeenMuneeba Ali is expected to retain her place at the top of the order and could be the player Pakistan rely on to give them a stable start against India. The left-handed wicketkeeper-batter has accumulated 695 runs in 28 innings as an opener in the last two years, averaging 25.74.Gull Feroza is likely to partner Muneeba Ali despite an unsuccessful outing in Pakistan's previous match. She was dismissed for a duck against Thailand but she has also scored 244 runs in 19 innings as an opener between 2024 and 2026, including a best of 63*. Hence, Feroza’s aggressive approach alongside Muneeba could give Pakistan the fast start they will need against India's strong bowling attack.Ayesha Zafar could move into the No. 3 position for Pakistan, providing the team with an experienced batter immediately after the opening pair. If Muneeba and Feroza provide Pakistan with a strong powerplay, Ayesha can continue the momentum. Also Read- Pakistan Women's Play Against Their Men's Team, Check Why!Her ability to score at a high rate could also be useful against India's spinners, especially during the middle overs when Pakistan will need to avoid allowing the run rate to stagnate. Saira Jabeen could slot in at No. 4, giving Pakistan another right-handed option in the top half of the batting order. With Ayesha capable of attacking, Saira can take on the complementary role of rotating the strike and targeting the right match-ups. The No. 4 position also gives Saira flexibility. If the openers put Pakistan in a strong position, she can play positively and keep the momentum going. On the other hand, if India strike early, she can help rebuild the innings alongside Ayesha without forcing the middle order to come in too soon.Middle Order & All-Rounders: Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana, Eyman FatimaSadaf Shamas is expected to occupy the No. 5 position and could be Pakistan's link between the top order and the lower middle order. She scored 20 off 20 balls in the previous match, hitting three boundaries, and although the innings did not become a substantial one, she showed the ability to find the boundary when required.If the top order manages to build a platform, Sadaf will need to turn it into a competitive total during the middle and death overs. If Pakistan lose early wickets, she could also be asked to stabilise the innings.Captain Fatima Sana is likely to come in at No. 6, where her value extends well beyond her batting position. As a bowling all-rounder and Pakistan's captain, she provides an important balance to the XI.Fatima has picked up 12 wickets in her last six matches, maintaining an economy rate of 6.69. Those numbers underline her importance with the ball, but her presence in the lower middle order also means Pakistan do not have to rely exclusively on their specialist batters for runs.Eyman Fatima could take the No. 7 position and provide Pakistan with another layer of batting before the specialist bowlers arrive. She scored only one run in the previous match, but the low score does not necessarily reflect the role she can perform in this XI.Eyman has garnered 148 runs between 2025 and 2026 at a strike rate of 129.82, and she can also act as insurance in case Pakistan lose several wickets in quick succession.Bowlers: Umm-e-Hani, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia IqbalUmm-e-Hani is expected to be the first specialist bowler in Pakistan's attack from their squad of Women's Asia Cup 2026. Her inclusion also gives the side a player who has already demonstrated that she can contribute with the bat when the situation demands it.In Pakistan's previous match, Umm-e-Hani scored a brisk 17 off 15 balls, including two boundaries, while also contributing with the ball. That kind of lower-order utility can be extremely valuable in a tournament where small margins often decide matches.Against India, though, her primary responsibility will be to provide control and pick up wickets in the middle overs. Tuba Hassan could be another key weapon in Pakistan's spin department. India's batting line-up contains several players capable of taking the game away in a short period. Tuba's ability to attack could therefore make her an important wicket-taking option. In the last two years, Tuba has bagged 10 wickets at an average of 35.3.Nashra Sandhu is likely to lead Pakistan's spin attack alongside Tuba Hassan. She brings experience and the ability to bowl economically through the middle phase, which will be essential against India's aggressive batters.Sandhu picked up a wicket in Pakistan's previous match, although she conceded boundaries during her short outing. Against India, her challenge will be less about simply restricting runs and more about creating pressure from one end so that Pakistan can attack from the other.Sadia Iqbal completes the predicted bowling attack and could be one of Pakistan's most important players against India's left-right batting combinations. She has taken 10 wickets in her last six matches at an economy rate of 6.42, giving her the best economy rate among Pakistan's leading recent wicket-takers listed for the match.Pakistan Women Playing XI vs India WomenMuneeba Ali (wk), Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Saira Jabeen, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana (c), Eyman Fatima, Umm-e-Hani, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sandhu, Sadia IqbalAlso Read- Age-Fraud Case Bans India's U19 World Cup Hero And 61 Others
