Muneeba Ali Siddiqui will captain Pakistan’s 14-member squad at the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, scheduled in Thailand, from November 12 to 25. The Pakistan Cricket Board announced the team on Tuesday, October 27. First launched in 2025, the tournament will feature Pakistan for the first time. Ayesha Zafar has been appointed vice-captain as the team prepares for its campaign.
The batting group includes Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen and Shawaal Zulfiqar. Gull Feroza has also been selected after being named the best wicketkeeper-batter in the recently concluded National Women’s T20 Tournament. Twelve players from Pakistan’s last assignment have retained their places, while Sadaf Shamas and Waheeda Akhtar have been recalled. The selection keeps much of the previous group together while bringing two players back into the squad.
Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu will lead Pakistan’s bowling attack. Momina Riasat, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani join her to form the spin quartet, while Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar provide pace options. Regular captain Fatima Sana will miss the tournament because she is set to play her maiden season in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League. Pakistan’s most recent outing was at the Asian Games in Japan, where the team won a bronze medal.
The competition will feature 30 matches involving 10 teams divided into two groups. Pakistan are in Group B alongside Bangladesh, defending champions Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe. Group A includes Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts United Arab Emirates. The opening stage will follow a single round-robin league format, with each team playing the other sides in its group. Results will determine which teams progress to the next stage.
The top three teams from each group will qualify for the Super Six stage. Each of the six teams will play three matches in that round, and the two highest-placed sides will advance to the final. The championship match is scheduled for Wednesday, November 25, in Ajman. Teams must first progress from their groups and then perform in the Super Six to remain in contention for the title. In this format, the group stage comes first, followed by the Super Six round, before the two remaining teams contest the final in Ajman.
Pakistan’s preparations will begin in Lahore, where the squad is due to assemble on November 6. A training camp is scheduled for November 7, 8 and 9, after which the team will travel to the United Arab Emirates. The tournament begins on November 12, so the camp will take place before Pakistan’s first appearance in the competition. The side will begin in Group B and face four opponents in the opening stage.
Pakistan squad for ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026:
Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (C, WK), Ayesha Zafar (VC), 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
With the squad named and the Lahore camp approaching, Pakistan will focus on its first Emerging Nations Trophy campaign. The group matches against Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe will shape the team’s chances of reaching the Super Six. The top three teams in Group B will advance, and the six qualifiers will compete for places in the final. The tournament is set to conclude with the title match on November 25.
Loves all things female cricket