Muneeba to lead Pakistan in ICC Emerging Nations Trophy
Muneeba Ali practiced before having to go out to bat first • Asian Cricket Council
Muneeba Ali will lead Pakistan in next month's ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy in Ajman, UAE. The 14-player squad, announced this week, comprises mostly regulars as the selectors retained 12 players from the recent Asian Games in Japan in which Pakistan finished with bronze.
Their regular captain Fatima Sana has been allowed to miss the 10-team competition, which runs from November 12 to 25, because of her WBBL commitments. Sana was signed by Perth Scorchers for what will be her first appearance in the competition.
Pakistan's batting department consists of Ayesha Zafar, who has also been named vice-captain, Gull Feroza, Sadaf Shamas, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Eyman Fatima, Saira Jabeen, and 19-year-old Eman Naseer, who made her Pakistan debut in the three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka earlier in the year and has played only three matches in the format. Muneeba had led Pakistan in that series too.
Left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu, who is the only Pakistani in the top-10 ICC rankings for women's T20I bowlers, is the most experienced bowler in the side. She is joined by fellow spinners Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, and Momina Riasat. Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar are the two fast bowlers.
Shamas and Akhtar are the two players returning to the squad after missing out the Asian Games.
This will be Pakistan's maiden appearance in the Emerging Nations Trophy as the tournament has been expanded to 10 teams from eight last year, when its first edition was played. There will be two groups of five teams with top three from each progressing to Super Six after which the semi-finals and the final will be played.
Pakistan, one of the five Full Member nations in the tournament, are drawn in Group B with defending champions Thailand, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Zimbabwe. Pakistan will open their campaign on the opening day of the tournament against Bangladesh.
Pakistan squad for Women's Emerging Nations Trophy
Muneeba Ali (capt & wk), Ayesha Zafar (vice-captain), Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wk), Momina Riasat, Nashra Sandhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
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