Fatima Sana leads Pakistan's 15-member squad for Women's T20 WC 2026
Synopsis
Pakistan have named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 in England, retaining Fatima Sana as captain for a second straight edition. Five uncapped players earn first World Cup call-ups, and Pakistan face India in their tournament opener at Edgbaston on 14 June — setting up one of the most anticipated matches of the group stage.
Key Takeaways
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on 16 May .
Fatima Sana , 24 , retains the captaincy for her second consecutive World Cup as skipper and third overall .
Five players — Eyman Fatima , Natalia Pervaiz , Rameen Shamim , Saira Jabeen , and Tasmia Rubab — will make their Women's T20 World Cup debuts.
Pakistan face India in their opening match on 14 June at Edgbaston, Birmingham .
The tournament runs from 12 June to 5 July across England and Wales , with the final at Lord's Cricket Ground .
Pakistan will contest a warm-up tri-series in Dublin from 28 May to 4 June against Ireland and West Indies.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, 16 May named a 15-member squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, retaining Fatima Sana as captain for the tournament to be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July. The squad will also feature in a preparatory tri-series in Ireland before the World Cup gets underway.
Five Debutants in the Squad
Five players — Eyman Fatima, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Saira Jabeen, and Tasmia Rubab — are set to appear in the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time. Their inclusion signals a generational shift in Pakistan women's cricket, with the PCB backing youth alongside experienced campaigners.
Fatima Sana, 24, will be appearing in her third Women's T20 World Cup and will captain Pakistan for the second consecutive edition, having led the side in the 2024 tournament in the UAE. Her retention underlines the board's confidence in her leadership through a transitional phase for the team.
Warm-Up Schedule and Pre-Tournament Preparation
Pakistan arrive at the World Cup on the back of a strong run at home, having swept Zimbabwe 3-0 in a T20I series in Karachi. Ahead of the main event, the side will travel to Dublin for a tri-series from 28 May to 4 June, competing against co-hosts Ireland and West Indies.
Two warm-up fixtures follow: against Sri Lanka on 6 June and Scotland on 9 June, both in Derby. The matches are designed to acclimatise the squad to English conditions ahead of the group stage.
Pakistan's Group Stage Fixtures
Pakistan open their World Cup campaign against arch-rivals India on 14 June at Edgbaston, Birmingham — a fixture that historically draws enormous viewership across the subcontinent. They then face South Africa at the same venue on 17 June, before travelling to Southampton to meet Bangladesh on 20 June.
Australia await Pakistan at Headingley, Leeds on 23 June, and the group stage concludes against the Netherlands in Bristol on 27 June. The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals on 30 June and 2 July, with the final scheduled at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground on 5 July.
Full Squad and Reserves
Squad: Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.
Reserves: Amber Kainat, Momina Riasat, Sadaf Shamas, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Umm-e-Hani.
With a high-stakes opener against India and a Lord's final on the horizon, Pakistan's campaign in England will be one of the most closely watched in the tournament.
Point of View
But the real story is the five debutants — a PCB bet that youth can compete at the highest level without a prolonged transition period. Pakistan's group is unforgiving: India, Australia, and South Africa in successive fixtures leave little margin for settling in. The Dublin tri-series against Ireland and West Indies offers some preparation, but English conditions remain a persistent challenge for subcontinental sides. If the debutants fire and Fatima Sana leads with the authority she showed in the UAE, Pakistan could be a genuine semifinal contender. If they don't, the same selection will face sharp scrutiny.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the captain of Pakistan's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 squad?
Fatima Sana has been retained as captain of Pakistan's squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. The 24-year-old will lead the side for the second consecutive World Cup edition, having also captained Pakistan in the 2024 tournament held in the UAE.
When and where is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 will be held in England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July 2026. The final is scheduled at Lord's Cricket Ground on 5 July.
Which players are making their Women's T20 World Cup debut for Pakistan?
Five players — Eyman Fatima, Natalia Pervaiz, Rameen Shamim, Saira Jabeen, and Tasmia Rubab — are set to appear in the Women's T20 World Cup for the first time as part of Pakistan's 2026 squad.
When do Pakistan play India at the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Pakistan face India on 14 June 2026 at Edgbaston in Birmingham in their opening group-stage fixture of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026.
What warm-up matches will Pakistan play before the Women's T20 World Cup 2026?
Pakistan will participate in a tri-series in Dublin from 28 May to 4 June against Ireland and West Indies. They will also play two warm-up matches — against Sri Lanka on 6 June and Scotland on 9 June — both in Derby, ahead of the World Cup.
