Pakistan women Emerging Nations Trophy squad has been named for the ACC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026, and Muneeba Ali will lead the side. The tournament will be played in Ajman in the United Arab Emirates from 12 to 25 November 2026, and Pakistan will open its campaign against Bangladesh on the first day. It is a big chance for the next group of players to show what they can do at international level.
Muneeba Ali captain Pakistan women is the headline of the announcement. Muneeba is a wicketkeeper batter who has played for Pakistan for several years, and she will captain the team in the tournament. The Pakistan Cricket Board has trusted her with the leadership role, and her experience in the top order will be important in a tournament where Pakistan will face teams that are also looking to prove themselves. A captain who scores runs and keeps wicket gives the team balance in both departments.
Ayesha Zafar vice captain will support Muneeba as her deputy. Ayesha is an experienced batter who has been part of the Pakistan set up for a long time, and she brings calm to the dressing room. The pair have played together for years, and that understanding should help in tight matches. The selectors have also picked a mix of young players and established names, so that the team has both energy and experience.
The Emerging Nations Trophy Ajman November 12 start date is fixed, and Pakistan is in Group B. The group also has Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe, so Pakistan will play four group matches before the knockout stage. The camp for the tournament will be held in Lahore from 7 to 9 November, where the players will train together and the team management will finalise the playing combination. The short camp means the players need to arrive in good shape, because there is little time to build fitness in three days.
Pakistan women Bangladesh first match is the opener on 12 November, and it is the toughest test in the group. Bangladesh have a strong women’s team, and they will be favourites in that match. A win against Bangladesh would give Pakistan a strong start and a good chance of topping the group, while a loss would mean the team must win its remaining group matches to reach the semi finals. The players will know that the first match sets the tone for the whole tournament.
Fatima Sana WBBL Australia absence is the biggest gap in the squad. Fatima Sana, who is one of the best fast bowlers in the Pakistan team, is not available because she is playing in the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia. Her absence leaves a hole in the pace attack, and it also takes away a senior player who often leads the bowling. The selectors will need other bowlers to step up, and the team will have to find wickets without its main strike bowler.
The tournament matters because it is a pathway for emerging teams. The ACC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy gives teams outside the top tier a chance to play competitive cricket and to develop players for the main team. For Pakistan, it is a chance to test young players in real tournament conditions, and to see who can handle pressure. A good run in Ajman would also give the women’s game at home a boost, at a time when interest in women’s cricket is growing.
The timing of the tournament also fits with a busy period for Pakistan women’s cricket. The team has a tour of the West Indies in mid December, and a new head coach is expected to take over soon. Shane Deitz, who is 51 years old and spent three years coaching the West Indies women, is set to replace Wahab Riaz as the head coach of the Pakistan women’s team. His West Indies stint ended on 31 October, and his arrival would bring fresh ideas to the set up. The Emerging Nations Trophy will be played before he takes charge, so the current management will lead the team in Ajman.
For the players, the tournament is a chance to make a name for themselves. Many of them have played domestic cricket and age group cricket, but few have played in a full international tournament. A strong performance in Ajman could earn them a place in the main squad for the West Indies tour, and it could open the door to a longer run in the national team. The selectors will be watching closely, and the players know that this is their chance.
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