Muneeba Ali will captain Pakistan in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announcing a 14-member squad for the tournament to be held in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, from Nov 12 to 25.

Batter Ayesha Zafar has been appointed vice-captain of the side, which will feature 12 players retained from Pakistan’s previous assignment. Sadaf Shamas and Waheeda Akhtar have been recalled to the squad.

Regular captain Fatima Sana will miss the tournament as she prepares to feature in her maiden Women’s Big Bash League season in Australia.

The squad announcement comes after Pakistan secured a bronze medal at the Asian Games in Japan. Wicket-keeper-batter Gull Feroza, who was named the best wicketkeeper-batter at the recently concluded National Women’s T20 Tournament, has also been included.

The batting line-up comprises Ayesha, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Sadaf, Saira Jabeen and Shawaal Zulfiqar, while Muneeba and Gull provide wicket-keeping options.

Left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu will spearhead the bowling attack, with Momina Riasat, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani completing the spin contingent. Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda are the two frontline pace options.

The 30-match tournament will feature 10 teams divided into two groups. Pakistan have been placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe.

Group ‘A’ comprises Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts the United Arab Emirates.

The teams will first compete in a single-league round-robin stage, after which the top three sides from each group will advance to the Super Six stage. Each qualifying team will play three matches in that phase, with the top two progressing to the final on Nov 25.

The Pakistan squad will assemble in Lahore on Nov 6 and attend a pre-tournament training camp on Nov 7, 8 and 9 before departing for the UAE.

Squad: Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (captain, wicketkeeper), Ayesha Zafar (vice-captain), Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wicket-keeper), Momina Riasat, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.