Pakistan have left out pace bowler Diana Baig from their squads for the Asia Cup and Asian Games following a string of poor performances at the recent T20 World Cup. Fatima Sana returns as captain for both tournaments after being permitted to skip the T20I series in Sri Lanka so she could play in the Women’s Hundred.
Baig and all-rounder Aliya Riaz were both dropped for the three-match series against Sri Lanka after their underwhelming showings at the World Cup. Baig struggled to find her rhythm against Australia and the Netherlands once she returned from being benched for the first three games, while Riaz managed only 37 runs across four innings and drew criticism for dropping catches at key moments.
Riaz has been left out of the Asia Cup squad but retains her place for the Asian Games, since that squad was finalized in June, before her form dipped further during the World Cup.
Fast-Bowling Options Shift as Pakistan Plan Ahead
Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, and Waheeda Akhtar now make up Pakistan’s fast-bowling group alongside Fatima Sana across the two squads. Jabeen features in both the Asia Cup and Asian Games lineups, while Waheeda has been picked only for Dubai and Tasmia takes her place for the Asian Games in Japan.
The selections signal that Pakistan are moving past Baig, who made her international debut back in 2015 and has struggled to hold down a regular spot since. Wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi and left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal complete the group of players named exclusively for the Asia Cup, rounding out three changes to the 15-player squads.
Recent Results Prompt Rethink in Women’s T20 Setup
Pakistan have won just two of their last ten completed T20I matches, a run that has clearly influenced the selectors’ thinking. They lost four of five matches at the World Cup, with their solitary win coming against the Netherlands, before salvaging a consolation victory in the Sri Lanka series after dropping the opening two games.
Before the World Cup, Pakistan also suffered defeats to West Indies and Ireland during a preparatory tri-nation series held in Dublin. The pattern of results has pushed the team management toward experimenting with personnel across both the pace and batting departments.
Group Fixtures Set Pakistan’s Path in Asia Cup and Asian Games
Pakistan will share Group A of the Asia Cup with India, Hong Kong, and Thailand. They open their campaign against Thailand on September 1 and face India four days later on September 5, before closing out the group stage against Hong Kong on September 7.
At the Asian Games later in the month, Pakistan are seeded to meet Thailand in the fourth quarter-final on September 17, giving them a quick turnaround between the two tournaments.
Pakistan Women’s Squad for 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.
Pakistan Women’s Squad for 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.
For more cricket news and updates, follow Mostbet Blog!
