Muneeba Ali flies home from Asian Games 2026 due to mother's illness
Synopsis
Senior Pakistan wicketkeeper Muneeba Ali — with over 3,000 international runs across 101 T20Is and 65 ODIs — has left the Asian Games 2026 to be with her ill mother. No replacement will be named, leaving Gull Feroza to fill in for a Pakistan side already stretched after a nervy three-wicket quarterfinal win over Thailand.
Key Takeaways
Muneeba Ali has departed Asian Games 2026 early on 17 September due to her mother's illness.
Pakistan will not name a replacement owing to logistical constraints and the tournament's six-day schedule.
Gull Feroza will continue as wicketkeeper and opening batter in Muneeba's absence.
Muneeba has played 101 T20Is and 65 ODIs , scoring over 3,000 runs combined.
Pakistan beat Thailand by three wickets in a rain-reduced 11-over quarterfinal to reach the semifinals.
Captain Fatima Sana contributed two wickets and a 21-run knock in the quarterfinal win.
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali has departed the Asian Games 2026 early and will miss the remainder of the cricket tournament after flying back home to be with her ailing mother. The development was confirmed on 17 September, as Pakistan prepare for the semifinals of the continental showpiece.
Gull Feroza Steps Up in Muneeba's Absence
Muneeba was already absent from the Playing XI in Pakistan's quarterfinal against Thailand on Thursday, with Gull Feroza taking over both keeping duties and opening the batting. Pakistan have confirmed they will not name a replacement for Muneeba, citing logistical challenges and the tournament's compressed six-day schedule, which leaves insufficient time to bring in a fresh face. Feroza is expected to continue behind the stumps for the rest of the competition.
Feroza returned to opening the innings after having batted at No. 3 in the recently concluded Asia Cup, where Pakistan were eliminated in the semifinals. She had previously opened at the T20 World Cup, producing a notable unbeaten 63 in Pakistan's final group-stage match of that tournament.
Muneeba Ali's Standing in Pakistan Cricket
The loss is significant for Pakistan. Muneeba is one of the senior-most members of the squad, having featured in 101 T20 Internationals and 65 ODIs, accumulating over 3,000 runs across both formats. She even captained Pakistan in their bilateral series against Sri Lanka in July, deputising while regular captain Fatima Sana was participating in the Women's Hundred.
Pakistan's Nervy Quarterfinal Win Over Thailand
Earlier, Pakistan came through a rain-reduced, tense encounter against Thailand at Korogi Sports Park to book their semifinal berth. The match was trimmed to 11 overs per side, with Thailand posting 91/4 after being sent in to bat. Nannapat Koncharoenkai anchored the innings with a composed 49 off 38 balls, but Fatima's two-wicket burst helped restrict the target.
Pakistan's reply started well, with Gull Feroza and Shawaal Zulfiqar putting on 36 runs for the first wicket before Thailand clawed back with regular dismissals. Captain Fatima Sana steadied the chase with a brisk 21 off 13 balls before falling on the first delivery of the ninth over, leaving Pakistan requiring 19 runs from 17 balls.
Tuba Hassan then provided momentum with a four and a six before departing off the final ball of the tenth over, having scored 13 off 7 deliveries. Pakistan entered the last over needing four runs with three wickets in hand, and Umm-e-Hani sealed the win with a boundary off the fourth ball of the 11th over, completing a three-wicket victory.
What's Next for Pakistan
Pakistan now advance to the semifinals of the Asian Games 2026 cricket tournament without their first-choice wicketkeeper, placing added responsibility on Feroza to perform in both capacities. With the side already tested in the quarterfinals, the combination of personal adversity and on-field pressure will define how they shape up against stronger semifinal opposition.
Point of View
000 international runs and the experience of leading the side. Asking Gull Feroza to replicate those contributions across two roles simultaneously, in a knockout tournament with no margin for error, is a tall order. What this also reveals is a structural depth problem in Pakistan women's cricket: six days is apparently too short a window to field a replacement keeper, which raises questions about squad depth and contingency planning at a major multi-sport event.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Muneeba Ali missing the Asian Games 2026?
Muneeba Ali has flown home from the Asian Games 2026 due to her mother's illness and will not take any further part in the cricket tournament. Pakistan confirmed the development on 17 September.
Will Pakistan name a replacement for Muneeba Ali?
Pakistan will not be naming a replacement for Muneeba Ali, citing logistical difficulties and the compressed six-day schedule of the cricket tournament at the Asian Games, which leaves no practical window to bring in a new player.
Who will keep wicket for Pakistan in Muneeba's absence?
Gull Feroza will take over as wicketkeeper for Pakistan and will also continue to open the batting. She had already filled both roles during Pakistan's quarterfinal victory over Thailand.
How experienced is Muneeba Ali in international cricket?
Muneeba Ali is one of Pakistan's most capped women's cricketers, having played 101 T20 Internationals and 65 ODIs with over 3,000 runs across both formats. She also captained Pakistan during a bilateral series against Sri Lanka in July 2026.
How did Pakistan qualify for the Asian Games 2026 cricket semifinals?
Pakistan beat Thailand by three wickets in a rain-reduced quarterfinal at Korogi Sports Park, chasing a target in an 11-over game. Captain Fatima Sana took two wickets and scored 21 off 13 balls, while Umm-e-Hani hit the winning runs in the final over.
