LAHORE: Pakistan have suffered a setback ahead of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, with wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi ruled out of the tournament because of a knee injury.
The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed on Monday that Alvi had reported pain in her posterior left knee. Subsequent scans indicated a possible sprain, forcing the team management to make a late change to the squad ahead of the continental competition.
Following an assessment by the PCB medical team, Alvi will immediately begin a rehabilitation programme. Her recovery is expected to take up to four weeks, effectively ruling her out of Pakistan’s Asia Cup campaign.
The national women’s selection committee has named right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas as Alvi’s replacement. Shamas brings international experience to the squad, having represented Pakistan in 12 Women’s T20 Internationals since making her debut in January 2023.
Her inclusion gives Pakistan another batting option as the team prepares for a demanding group-stage campaign in Dubai.
The eight-team tournament is scheduled to run from August 28 to September 13 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. All 15 matches are scheduled to begin at 7:30pm Pakistan Standard Time, setting the stage for a series of high-profile evening contests.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Hong Kong and Thailand. Group B features Bangladesh, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan will begin their campaign against Thailand on September 1 before facing India four days later in what is expected to be one of the tournament’s most closely watched matches.
The group stage will conclude for Pakistan with a match against Hong Kong on September 7. The top teams will then advance to the knockout phase, with the semi-finals scheduled for September 10 and 11.
The final will be played on Sunday, September 13.
Alvi’s absence could be significant for Pakistan, particularly given her dual role as a wicketkeeper and batter. Her injury leaves the team management with the task of adjusting its combination shortly before the tournament begins.
For Shamas, meanwhile, the call-up represents an opportunity to make a strong impact on the continental stage. With limited time before Pakistan’s opening fixture, she will be expected to settle quickly into the squad and contribute whenever called upon.
Pakistan will now hope that Alvi’s rehabilitation progresses smoothly while the team turns its attention to a challenging Asia Cup campaign in Dubai.
