Pakistan’s women’s cricket team, led by captain Fatima Sana, will open their ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 campaign against Thailand on Tuesday, September 1. The eight-team tournament begins in Dubai on Friday, with all 15 matches scheduled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Thailand will face Hong Kong, China in the tournament opener. Pakistan are drawn into Group A, where they will meet India on September 5 in a high-stakes clash before taking on Hong Kong, China on September 7. Matches will start at 7:30pm Pakistan time.
Tournament Structure and Pakistan’s Group Stage Path
Defending champions Sri Lanka headline Group B alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia, and hosts United Arab Emirates. The semi-finals are set for September 10 and 11, with the final scheduled for September 13.
The Pakistan squad arrived in the United Arab Emirates on August 26 after completing a 10-day training camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. Top-order batter Sadaf Shamas has replaced wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi, who was ruled out due to a left-knee injury.
Pakistan’s Asia Cup History and Recent Form
Pakistan women have finished runners-up twice in the Women’s Asia Cup, in 2012 and 2016. Their campaigns ended at the semi-final stage in the 2022 and 2024 editions. The team also played three T20Is at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, giving them recent experience in local conditions.
The 2026 edition marks the 10th Women’s Asia Cup and the sixth played in the T20 format. The first four editions, held between 2004 and 2008, used the One-Day format.
Captain Fatima Sana on Preparation and Mindset
Speaking before the team’s departure, Fatima Sana said the squad had played practice matches against boys during their pre-tournament camp, which helped them create and handle pressure situations.
“We want to win every single game and produce positive results,” Sana said. She added that the team’s aim was to adapt to conditions as quickly as possible and approach the tournament one match at a time.
Pakistan Women’s Squad
- Fatima Sana (captain)
- Ayesha Zafar
- Eman Naseer
- Eyman Fatima
- Gull Feroza
- Momina Riasat
- Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper)
- Nashra Sundhu
- Sadaf Shamas
- Sadia Iqbal
- Saira Jabeen
- Shawaal Zulfiqar
- Tuba Hassan
- Umm-e-Hani
- Waheeda Akhtar
