Pakistan Drops Diana Baig for Asia Cup and Asian Games as Fatima Sana Takes Charge

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-08-17

Pakistan's women's cricket team is heading into a busy stretch of tournaments with a fresh look. The selectors have made some bold calls, and one of the biggest involves a familiar face stepping back. Diana Baig, the pace bowler who has been part of the setup for years, has been left out of both the Asia Cup and Asian Games squads. It's a clear signal that the team is ready to move in a different direction after a rough patch of results. ### Why Baig and Riaz Were Dropped Baig's exclusion comes after a tough T20 World Cup where she struggled to find her rhythm. She was benched for the first three games and then failed to impress against Australia and the Netherlands when she got her chance. It wasn't just about one bad game; it was a pattern that the selectors couldn't ignore. Aliya Riaz, an all-rounder, also found herself on the outside looking in for the Asia Cup. She managed just 37 runs across four innings at the World Cup and drew criticism for dropping catches at critical moments. However, Riaz does keep her spot for the Asian Games, mainly because that squad was finalized back in June, before her form dipped further. ### A New Pace Attack Takes Shape The fast-bowling department now features Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, and Waheeda Akhtar alongside captain Fatima Sana. Jabeen is the only one of the three named in both squads, while Waheeda gets the nod for the Asia Cup and Tasmia steps in for the Asian Games. This shuffle shows the team is willing to experiment and give younger players a shot. Baig made her international debut back in 2015, but she's never really locked down a permanent spot. The selectors seem ready to move past that era and build something new. ### Recent Results Pushed the Selectors to Act Let's be honest: the numbers haven't been pretty. Pakistan has won just two of their last ten completed T20I matches. At the World Cup, they lost four of five games, with their only win coming against the Netherlands. They did manage a consolation victory in the Sri Lanka series, but only after dropping the first two matches. Before all that, they also suffered defeats to West Indies and Ireland during a tri-nation series in Dublin. That kind of form naturally forces a rethink, and that's exactly what we're seeing now. ### What's Ahead for Pakistan in the Asia Cup Pakistan is in Group A for the Asia Cup alongside India, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Their schedule is packed: - September 1: vs Thailand - September 5: vs India - September 7: vs Hong Kong The Asian Games follow shortly after, and Pakistan is seeded to face Thailand in the quarter-final on September 17. That's a quick turnaround, so squad depth will be tested. ### Full Squads for Both Tournaments Here's who's heading to the Asia Cup: Fatima Sana (capt), 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, Waheeda Akhtar. And for the Asian Games: Fatima Sana (capt), 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, Umm-e-Hani. It's a mix of experience and fresh energy. The big question now is whether these changes will turn things around on the field. With Fatima Sana back at the helm, there's a sense of renewed purpose. The next few weeks will tell us a lot about where this team is headed.