Pakistan Excludes Diana Baig from Asia Cup and Asian Games Squads

Pakistan’s women’s cricket team has announced the exclusion of pace bowler Diana Baig and experienced all-rounder Aliya Riaz from the squad for the Asia Cup. However, Riaz is slated to return for the Asian Games later this month.

Both Baig and Riaz were omitted from the three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka following disappointing performances at the recent T20 World Cup. Baig struggled for form, particularly against Australia and the Netherlands, after being sidelined for the first three matches. Riaz’s performance also raised concerns; she managed just 37 runs across four matches, and her fielding mistakes were heavily criticized.

Captain Fatima Sana leads the Pakistani team in both tournaments and returns after opting out of the Sri Lanka T20Is to participate in the women’s Hundred. Alongside her, the fast-bowling lineup includes Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, and Waheeda Akhtar. While Jabeen is part of both squads, Waheeda is included in the Asia Cup squad, with Tasmia replacing her for the Asian Games. This shift reflects Pakistan’s long-term considerations regarding their player choices.

There are three changes across the 15-player squads for the Asia Cup and Asian Games. Wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi and left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal are designated solely for the Asia Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) noted that the Asian Games squad had been submitted in June, indicating a potential shift from relying on Riaz given her recent form.

Historically, Pakistan’s performance in T20 formats has been challenging, with only two wins in their last ten completed matches. They lost four out of five games at the T20 World Cup, securing their only victory against the Netherlands, and they also struggled in a preparatory tri-nation series against West Indies and Ireland before the World Cup.

Pakistan is set to begin their Asia Cup campaign on September 1 against Thailand, followed by a match against India on September 5, and a closing group-stage game against Hong Kong on September 7. Later, in the Asian Games, they are expected to face Thailand in the fourth quarter-final on September 17.

Pakistan Women’s Squad for Asia Cup

• Fatima Sana (captain)
• Ayesha Zafar
• Eman Naseer
• Eyman Fatima
• Gull Feroza
• Momina Riasat
• Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper)
• Najiha Alvi
• Nashra Sundhu
• Sadia Iqbal
• Saira Jabeen
• Shawaal Zulfiqar
• Tuba Hassan
• Umm-e-Hani
• Waheeda Akhtar

Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Sadaf Shamas

Pakistan Women’s Squad for Asian Games

• Fatima Sana (captain)
• Aliya Riaz
• Ayesha Zafar
• Eman Naseer
• Eyman Fatima
• Gull Feroza
• Humna Bilal
• Momina Riasat
• Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper)
• Nashra Sundhu
• Saira Jabeen
• Shawaal Zulfiqar
• Tasmia Rubab
• Tuba Hassan
• Umm-e-Hani

Reserves: Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn