Muneeba to miss Asian Games because of mother's illness

The PCB won't name a replacement for Muneeba and Gull Feroza will keep wicket instead

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali will miss the ongoing women's cricket at Asian Games 2026 in Japan because of her mother's illness. She flew home from Dubai after the Asia Cup while the rest of the 14-member squad traveled to Japan. The PCB will not name a replacement for her because of logistical challenges and time constraints with the knockout competition finishing by September 22.

Gull Feroza will keep wicket in Muneeba's absence - as she did in their opening game against Thailand - for the tournament and also opened the batting. Feroza was Pakistan's No. 3 during the recent Asia Cup in Dubai. During the T20 World Cup before that, Feroza had also opened the batting with Muneeba and had signed off with an unbeaten 63 in their last league game against Netherlands.

Muneeba is among the senior players in the Pakistan squad and was the only batter from her side to score a half-century in the Asia Cup. She was their vice-captain at the T20 World Cup and also led them in the bilateral T20Is against Sri Lanka in July, when regular captain Fatima Sana was away in the UK to represent Birmingham Phoenix at the Women's Hundred.RelatedPakistan survive Thailand scare to make Asian Games semis

Two-time gold medalists Pakistan survived a scare on the opening day of the Asian Games when they just about managed to chase down 92 in 11 overs in a rain-curtailed quarter-final against Thailand. They got home with three wickets and two balls to spare and will face the winner of Sri Lanka vs Malaysia in the semi-final on Saturday. The two remaining quarter-finals will be played on Friday.