Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Muneeba Ali will miss the women’s cricket event at the Asian Games 2026 due to her mother’s illness. International media reported the news on Thursday.
According to the reports, Muneeba has returned to Pakistan to be with her mother. The 29-year-old did not play in Pakistan’s quarter-final against Thailand. Pakistan won the match by three wickets at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin.
Who will take over the wicketkeeping?
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is not expected to name a replacement for Muneeba, reports say.
The tournament is being played in a knockout format. It will end on September 22. This leaves little time for a replacement to join the team.
Gull Feroza took over as Pakistan’s wicketkeeper against Thailand. She is expected to continue in the role for the rest of the tournament.
Feroza usually plays as a top-order batter in T20 cricket. She will also open the innings in Muneeba’s absence.
The right-handed batter has opened for Pakistan before. She also opened with Muneeba during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this year. She scored an unbeaten 63 against the Netherlands in the tournament.
What is the updated Pakistan squad?
Fatima Sana, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza (wk), Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.
Who is Muneeba Ali?
Muneeba Ali was born in Karachi, where cricket is very popular. She became interested in the sport at a young age. She started by playing tape-ball cricket with boys in her neighbourhood.
These early games helped her become confident and fearless on the field. Her family noticed her passion for cricket and gave her full support.
They encouraged her to take up the sport professionally when women’s cricket was still growing in Pakistan.
Muneeba later began formal training at a local cricket academy. Her coaches soon saw her talent. She was a left-handed batter with a strong ability to hit the ball and find gaps in the field.
