Sadaf Shamas replaces injured Najiha Alvi in Pakistan Women's Asia Cup squad
Synopsis
Pakistan's Women's Asia Cup squad has been reshuffled just days before the tournament opens in Dubai — wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi is out with a left knee sprain, replaced by Sadaf Shamas. With Fatima Sana returning as captain and a blockbuster India clash on 5 September, Pakistan's preparation has hit an early setback.
Key Takeaways
Najiha Alvi has been ruled out of the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 with a posterior left knee sprain, requiring up to four weeks of rehabilitation.
Sadaf Shamas , who has played 12 WT20Is since her debut in January 2023 , has been named as her replacement.
The tournament runs from 28 August to 13 September 2026 in Dubai, UAE .
Pakistan are in Group A alongside India (seven-time winners), Thailand , and Hong Kong .
Fatima Sana returns as captain after missing the Sri Lanka T20I series to play for Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.
Pakistan face Thailand on 1 September , India on 5 September , and Hong Kong-China on 7 September .
Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas has been drafted into Pakistan's squad for the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 after wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi was ruled out with a knee injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the change on Sunday, 24 August, following medical assessments that identified a joint issue in Najiha's left knee.
The Injury and Replacement
According to the PCB's official statement, Najiha Alvi reported pain in her posterior left knee, with subsequent scans revealing a possible sprain. The PCB's medical team assessed the injury and determined that Najiha would need to begin a rehabilitation programme immediately, expected to last up to four weeks.
The national women's selection committee moved swiftly, naming Sadaf Shamas as the replacement. Sadaf, who made her Women's T20 International debut in January 2023, has since accumulated 12 WT20I appearances to her name.
Pakistan's Asia Cup Schedule and Group Stage
The tournament is scheduled to be held in Dubai, UAE, from 28 August to 13 September 2026. Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside India — seven-time Asia Cup winners — Thailand, and Hong Kong.
Pakistan will open their campaign against Thailand on 1 September, before a highly anticipated clash with India on 5 September, and a final group fixture against Hong Kong-China on 7 September. The semi-finals are set for 10 and 11 September, with the final scheduled on 13 September.
Fatima Sana Returns as Captain
Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan at the Asia Cup, returning to captaincy after missing the T20I series against Sri Lanka. She had been absent due to her participation in The Hundred, where she represented Birmingham Phoenix.
Her return adds experienced leadership to a squad that will need to navigate a tough group stage, with the India fixture on 5 September likely to draw the most attention.
Full Pakistan Squad
Pakistan's squad for the Women's Asia Cup: Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Sadaf Shamas, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar.
With the tournament just days away, Pakistan will be hoping Sadaf Shamas can slot in seamlessly and contribute as the side bids to challenge India's dominance of the continental event.
Point of View
And the PCB's swift response — naming a replacement within the same announcement — reflects a more organised injury-management process than Pakistan women's cricket has historically shown. Sadaf Shamas is a like-for-like batting replacement but does not keep wickets, which means the squad's glove duties now rest entirely on Muneeba Ali Siddiqui. The real pressure point is the India fixture on 5 September: Pakistan have rarely beaten India in Asia Cup knockout-relevant matches, and arriving with a reshuffled unit does little to change that dynamic. Fatima Sana's return from The Hundred is a genuine positive, but the broader question is whether Pakistan's squad depth is sufficient to absorb injuries and still compete at the top of Group A.
NationPress
24 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Najiha Alvi ruled out of the Women's Asia Cup?
Najiha Alvi was ruled out after scans revealed a possible sprain in her posterior left knee. The PCB's medical team confirmed she would need up to four weeks of rehabilitation, making her unavailable for the tournament.
Who replaced Najiha Alvi in Pakistan's Women's Asia Cup squad?
Right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas was named as Najiha Alvi's replacement. Sadaf has played 12 Women's T20 Internationals since making her debut in January 2023.
When and where is the ACC Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026?
The tournament is scheduled to take place in Dubai, UAE, from 28 August to 13 September 2026. The final is set for 13 September.
Who is captaining Pakistan at the Women's Asia Cup?
Fatima Sana will captain Pakistan at the Asia Cup. She missed the recent T20I series against Sri Lanka due to her participation in The Hundred with Birmingham Phoenix but returns to lead the side.
Which teams are in Pakistan's group at the Women's Asia Cup?
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India (seven-time Asia Cup winners), Thailand, and Hong Kong. Pakistan open against Thailand on 1 September, face India on 5 September, and play Hong Kong-China on 7 September.
