Fatima Sana back at the helm as Pakistan name Asia Cup squad

Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan at the upcoming Women's Asia Cup after returning to the setup, with selectors announcing a 15-member squad for the eight-team tournament that gets underway in Dubai on August 28.

Sana had skipped the T20I leg of Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka to fulfil her commitments with Birmingham Phoenix, becoming the first female player from Pakistan to feature in the tournament. Her return headlines a squad that also welcomes back two players who were absent from that Sri Lanka assignment.

"Also back in the squad are Sadia Iqbal, who was not part of the tour of Sri Lanka, and Gull Feroza, who was left out of the T20Is leg but featured in the one-dayers," the selectors confirmed.

Full Asia Cup squad

Pakistan's 15-member squad for the Women's Asia Cup 2026 reads: Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.

The reserves are Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees and Sadaf Shamas.

A different look for the Asian Games

The selectors have named a separate squad for the Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan in September. Sadia Iqbal, Waheeda Akhtar and Najiha Alvi are not part of that contingent; in their place, Aliya Riaz, Tasmia Rubab and Humna Bilal come into the Asian Games party.

Pakistan's Asian Games 2026 squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani. Reserves: Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah and Rameen Shamim.

Veteran pacer Diana Baig has missed out altogether, with her name absent from both the main squad and the reserves list.

Camp and schedule

The team will assemble for a 10-day camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore from Sunday until August 25. Pakistan open their Asia Cup campaign against Thailand on September 1, a side they are also scheduled to meet in the Asian Games quarterfinal on September 17 — just four days after the Asia Cup final.