Muneeba Ali Takes Charge: Can Pakistan Shock the Cricket World?

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-30

Pakistan cricket fans, listen up. Muneeba Ali is stepping in as captain for the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, and this could be the moment Pakistan makes a statement on the global stage. The tournament runs from November 12 to 25 in Ajman, UAE, and Pakistan is fielding a 14-player squad that’s a mix of experience and fresh talent. But here’s the twist: regular captain Fatima Sana won’t be there. She’s off to play in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) for the Perth Scorchers—her first stint in the Australian league. So, Muneeba, who’s already led Pakistan in a T20I series in Sri Lanka earlier this year, takes the reins. Ayesha Zafar will be her deputy. ### Why Fatima Sana’s Absence Matters Let’s be real: losing your regular captain is never easy. Sana’s WBBL commitment is a huge opportunity for her personally, but it leaves a gap in leadership. The PCB gave her the green light, and you can’t blame them—playing in the WBBL is a big deal. But it means Muneeba has to rally the troops quickly. The good news? She’s no stranger to the role. Her experience in Sri Lanka will be crucial, especially with a squad that’s largely intact from the Asian Games bronze-winning team. ### A Squad Built on Asian Games Success Speaking of that Asian Games bronze—12 of the 14 players here were part of that squad. That kind of continuity is gold. Sadaf Shamas and Waheeda Akhtar are back after missing the Asian Games, adding depth. The batting lineup looks solid with Zafar, Gull Feroza, Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Eyman Fatima, and Saira Jabeen. Keep an eye on 19-year-old Eman Naseer—she made her debut in the Sri Lanka series and already has three T20Is under her belt. She’s one for the future. ### Bowling Attack: Spin to Win Nashra Sandhu is the leader of the pack. The left-arm spinner is the only Pakistani in the ICC top 10 for women’s T20I bowlers, and her experience will be vital. She’s got backup from Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Momina Riasat—all spin options. Pace-wise, Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar will handle the fast bowling duties. And don’t forget the wicketkeeping: Muneeba and Feroza can both don the gloves, giving the team flexibility. ### Group B: The Road Ahead Pakistan is in Group B alongside defending champions Thailand, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe. That’s no walk in the park. The tournament has expanded from eight to 10 teams, and Pakistan is one of five Full Member nations making their debut. The top three from each group advance to the Super Six stage, then semis and final. Pakistan opens against Bangladesh on November 12—a tough first test. But if they can gel quickly, they’ve got the talent to surprise a few teams. ### The Big Question: Can They Go All the Way? Look, it’s a young squad, and the absence of Sana is a hurdle. But Muneeba’s leadership and the Asian Games experience give them a fighting chance. The spinners will be key on UAE pitches, and if the batters fire, Pakistan could turn some heads. As Muneeba herself might say, “We’re not here to make up the numbers.” Keep an eye on this team—they might just shock the cricket world.