Fatima Sana to miss Sri Lanka T20I series for historic debut in Women's Hundred

Pakistan women have unveiled their squad for the T20I and ODI series in Sri Lanka, beginning on July 23. The tour will begin with a three-match ODI series, where all-rounder Fatima Sana will be leading her team. However, Sana won’t be available for the T20I series as she’s due to play in the Women’s Hundred for Birmingham Phoenix, after being granted NOC by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

She will be the first Pakistani women's player to feature in the tournament after being signed by Phoenix in the wildcard draft for the minimum salary of £15,000 (approximately 5.6 million PKR) as a replacement for Australia's Lucy Hamilton. In her place, wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali has been handed the responsibility to lead the side in the T20I series.

Muneeba has some leadership experience, having previously captained Pakistan in T20Is against Australia in 2024. It will be Pakistan’s first assignment since their poor show at the recent Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, where they got knocked out of the competition in the group stage itself. Pakistan won just one out of their five matches against the Netherlands, finishing second last (fifth) in Group A.

As a result, the selectors have made a host of changes in the team; Aliya Riaz and Iram Javed, whose selections had attracted scrutiny at the time, have been dropped from the squad. Diana Baig, who played only a limited role during the World Cup, has also been left out of both the T20I and ODI squads.

PCB make eight changes to the squad

Pakistan have handed call-ups to eight players for the tour, including three uncapped in T20Is. Nineteen-year-old batters Eman Naseer and Maham Anees, along with spinner Momina Riasat, have earned their maiden T20I call-ups. Meanwhile, Najiha Alvi, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar return to the national setup.

After the conclusion of the ODI series on July 28, the two teams will play a three-match T20I series on July 31. Both the ODI and the T20I series will be played at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota.

Pakistan’s ODI squad for Sri Lanka tour: Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Gull Feroza, Maham Anees, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali, Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhter

Pakistan’s T20I squad for Sri Lanka tour: Muneeba Ali (captain), 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 and Waheeda Akhtar