Lahore (PCB Report):
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the Pakistan Women’s ‘A’ squad for the upcoming ACC Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026. The 20-over tournament is scheduled to take place from 13 to 22 February in Bangkok, Thailand.
Pakistan ‘A’ are placed in Group A alongside India ‘A’, UAE and Nepal, while the Group B comprises of Bangladesh ‘A’, Sri Lanka ‘A’, Malaysia and hosts Thailand. Top two sides from each group will play semi-finals after playing three games each.
Off-spinning all-rounder Umm-e-Hani is set to lead the 15-member Pakistan ‘A’ squad in the tournament and will be aided by the experience of her fellow capped players including pacer Waheeda Akhtar and batter Shawaal Zulfiqar.
Among other players, Pakistan Women’s U19 captain Eman Naseer and batter Komal Khan have also received call-ups to Pakistan Women’s ‘A’ after demonstrating quality skills during the recent 3-2 T20 series win over Bangladesh Women’s U19.
Gull Rukh, Hafsa Khalid, Huraina Sajjad are the other batters in the squad, while Yusra Amir is set to take the wicket-keeping duties.
Left-arm spinners Anosha Nasir and Momina Riasat form a four-pronged spin attack with Hani and all-rounder Noreen Yaqoob. Meanwhile, experienced Waheeda will lead the pace attack comprising Lubna Behram, Neha Sharmin Nadeem and Syeda Masooma Jafri.
In the eight-team tournament, UAE, Nepal, Malaysia and Thailand will field their national women’s teams, while the other four teams are participating with ‘A’ teams.
A total of 30 players were called up to Hanif Mohammad High Performance Centre for a week-long probables camp from 25 January after which the 15-member squad has been shortlisted. The Thailand-bound squad will now take part in a pre-tournament camp at the same venue before departing on 10 February.
Pakistan Women’s ‘A squad:
Batters: Eman Naseer (Islamabad), Gull Rukh (Dera Ghazi Khan), Hafsa Khalid (Karachi), Huraina Sajjad (Karachi), Shawaal Zulfiqar (Lahore)
Wicket-keeper: Yusra Amir (Karachi), Komal Khan (Lahore)
All-rounders: Noreen Yaqoob (Lahore) and Umm-e-Hani (Faisalabad)
Spinners: Anosha Nasir (Karachi), Momina Riasat (Abbottabad)
Pacers: Lubna Behram (Hunza), Neha Sharmin Nadeem (Karachi), Syeda Masooma Jafri (Karachi), Waheeda Akhtar (Lahore)
Schedule of Pakistan ‘A’ matches: (all matches at Terdthai Cricket Ground)
Group A
13 February – Pakistan ‘A’ v Nepal – 9.30am local time
15 February – Pakistan ‘A’ v India ‘A’ – 2pm local time
17 February – Pakistan ‘A’ v UAE – 2pm local time
20 February - Semi final 1 and 2 – 9am and 2pm local time
22 February – Final – 2pm local time
