Sadaf Shamas replaces injured Najiha Alvi in Pakistan's Women's Asia Cup 2026 squad

Wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi will miss the Women's Asia Cup 2026 following a left knee injury sustained during recent preparations. The Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) medical team assessed Najiha after she reported pain in her posterior left knee, and subsequent scans revealed a possible sprain. The selection committee has named right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas as her replacement in the squad for the tournament scheduled to begin on August 28 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The Women's Asia Cup will run from August 28 to September 13, with Pakistan competing in Group A alongside India, Thailand and Hong Kong. Pakistan's group-stage matches are scheduled against Thailand on September 1, India on September 5 and Hong Kong-China on September 7. Semi-finals will take place on September 10 and 11, with the final on September 13.

Najiha's injury and rehabilitation timeline

Najiha reported pain in her posterior left knee, while later the scans revealed a possible sprain in it. Following an assessment by the PCB's medical team, Najiha is set to begin her rehabilitation programme immediately which is expected to last up to four weeks.

"Najiha reported pain in her posterior left knee, while later the scans revealed a possible sprain in it. Following an assessment by the PCB's medical team, Najiha is set to begin her rehabilitation programme immediately which is expected to last up to four weeks. The national women's selection committee added Sadaf to the Asia Cup squad. She has played 12 WT20Is so far after making her debut in January 2023," the PCB said in its statement.

Sadaf Shamas' international record

The national women's selection committee added Sadaf to the Asia Cup squad. She has played 12 WT20Is so far after making her debut in January 2023. The right-handed batter scored 289 runs in an ODI series against Zimbabwe in May 2026 and struck a maiden ODI century during that tour.

Also Read: Sadaf Shamas Replaces Injured Najiha Alvi In Pakistan Squad For Women's Asia Cup

Pakistan's squad for the Women's Asia Cup 2026

Fatima Sana returns as captain for the tournament after missing Pakistan's recent T20I series against Sri Lanka due to her commitments with Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred.

The final squad comprises 15 players: Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Sadaf Shamas, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.

In the ODIs against Sri Lanka in Hambantota, Pakistan lost 1-2. The Women in Green subsequently faced Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series, which they also lost by an identical score.