Pakistan Women’s team take an unconventional approach by playing against a men’s side during their pre-tournament camp.
The 15-member Pakistan squad arrived in the UAE on Wednesday for the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to take place from August 28 to September 13.
The Pakistan women’s team travelled to the UAE on Wednesday morning after completing an intensive pre-tournament camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore, arriving in the afternoon.
The players will take a day’s rest after their arrival before starting their first training session on Thursday. Captain Fatima Sana is also scheduled to attend the tournament’s trophy-unveiling ceremony.
The 2026 edition will feature eight teams split into two groups of four. Pakistan are in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Thailand and Hong Kong, China, while Group B includes defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and hosts the UAE.
The tournament will kick off on August 28, with Thailand facing Hong Kong, China, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The venue will host all 15 matches, including the final on September 13.
Pakistan will open their campaign against Thailand on September 1, followed by a highly anticipated clash with India on September 5. Their final group-stage match will be against Hong Kong, China, on September 7.
Under the tournament format, each team will face the other three sides in its group during the league stage. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, scheduled for September 10 and 11.
New approach
Pakistan have adopted an unconventional strategy in their preparations, playing full 20-over matches against a men’s side during their pre-tournament camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
The women’s team played competitive T20 matches against a combination of teenage and senior male players instead of relying solely on scenario-based practice games. The matches were aimed at improving decision-making under pressure and preparing the players for the tougher challenges expected during the tournament.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana said the matches against the men’s side had been beneficial to the team’s Asia Cup preparations.
“We are well prepared for the tournament,” she said. “We played competitive matches against boys, which put us under pressure. The experience and lessons from those games will help us adapt to the challenges of the competition.”
Pakistan squad: Fatima Sana (c), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani and Waheeda Akhtar.
Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees and Sadaf Shamas.
