Pakistan Hands Captaincy to Muneeba Ali as a Star Skips the Tournament

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Muneeba Ali takes over as Pakistan captain for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy in Ajman, UAE, as Fatima Sana sits out for WBBL duties. Here's the full squad and what to expect.

Muneeba Ali will lead Pakistan at the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy, and the decision says a lot about where this team is heading. The tournament runs from November 12 to 25 in Ajman, UAE, and the Pakistan Cricket Board named a 14-player squad this week. The big headline? Regular captain Fatima Sana won't be there. ### Why Fatima Sana Is Sitting This One Out Sana got permission to skip the 10-team competition because of her Women's Big Bash League commitments. Perth Scorchers signed her for the season, and it's her first stint in the Australian tournament. That's a big deal for her career, even if it leaves a hole in the national side. So the captain's armband passes to Muneeba. She's done the job before, leading Pakistan in the three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Ayesha Zafar steps in as vice-captain. ### A Squad Built on Recent Success The selectors clearly liked what they saw at the Asian Games in Japan. Twelve of the 14 players come from the group that won bronze there. Sadaf Shamas and Waheeda Akhtar return after missing that tournament, which adds fresh legs to an already confident bunch. The batting order runs deep: Zafar, Gull Feroza, Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Eyman Fatima, and Saira Jabeen. Keep an eye on Eman Naseer, too. She's just 19, made her Pakistan debut in the Sri Lanka series, and already has three T20Is under her belt. ### Spin Is Pakistan's Real Weapon Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu anchors the bowling attack. She's the only Pakistani in the ICC top 10 for women's T20I bowlers, and that experience matters in a short-format tournament. Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Momina Riasat give the side extra spin options. Tasmia Rubab and Akhtar handle the pace duties. Muneeba and Feroza will share wicketkeeping. Here's the full squad: - Muneeba Ali (captain, wicketkeeper) - Ayesha Zafar (vice-captain) - Eman Naseer - Eyman Fatima - Gull Feroza (wicketkeeper) - Momina Riasat - Nashra Sandhu - Sadaf Shamas - Saira Jabeen - Shawaal Zulfiqar - Tasmia Rubab - Tuba Hassan - Umm-e-Hani - Waheeda Akhtar ### Group B Won't Be Easy The competition has grown from eight teams to 10 since its first edition last year. Pakistan make their debut as one of five Full Member nations. The 10 sides split into two groups of five, with the top three from each moving into the Super Six stage before the semi-finals and final. Pakistan land in Group B alongside defending champions Thailand, Bangladesh, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe. They open against Bangladesh on November 12, the first day of the tournament. Thailand will be the toughest test on paper, but Bangladesh and Zimbabwe have shown they can spring surprises in this format. ### What This Means for Pakistan This tournament is a genuine opportunity. With Sana away, younger players get real match time in a competitive setting. Muneeba's leadership will be tested, and how she manages her spinners in UAE conditions could decide how far Pakistan goes. The Super Six stage is the realistic target. Anything beyond that would be a bonus. For cricket fans following the women's game, this is one to watch. The Emerging Nations Trophy has quickly become a platform for rising talent, and Pakistan's mix of experience and youth fits that brief perfectly.

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