Wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali is set to captain Pakistan during their T20I series against Sri Lanka. She takes over leadership duties from Fatima Sana, who has been granted permission by the PCB to skip the T20I portion of the tour to participate in The Hundred. Sana will captain the side during the preceding ODI series before becoming the first Pakistani woman to feature in the tournament.
This appointment marks Muneeba's second stint as T20I captain, following a single appearance in the role against Australia in 2024. The upcoming series in Sri Lanka serves as a fresh start for the team after a disappointing T20 World Cup performance, where Pakistan secured only one victory—a dead rubber against the Netherlands—after losing four of their five matches. Following that tournament, the PCB has implemented significant changes to the T20 squad.
The overhaul includes the exclusion of Aliya Riaz and Iram Javed, whose previous selections faced scrutiny, as well as Diana Baig, who is absent from both the ODI and T20I squads after a limited role in the World Cup. In total, Pakistan has called up eight new players for the tour. This includes three uncapped T20 players: 19-year-old batters Eman Naseer and Maham Anees, and spin bowler Momina Riasat. Additionally, Najiha Alvi, Umm-e-Hani, and Waheeda Akhtar have received recalls to the side.
The tour, held entirely in Hambantota, begins with three ODIs scheduled from July 23 to July 28, followed by the T20I series running from July 31 to August 4.
Pakistan ODI squad: Fatima Sana (capt), Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhter.
Pakistan T20I squad: Muneeba Ali (capt&wk), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.
Eman NaseerIram JavedAliya RiazMuneeba AliPakistan WomenPakistan Women tour of Sri Lanka
