Lahore, August 24, 2026: Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi has been ruled out of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup due to a knee injury, with right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas named as her replacement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday.
Najiha reported pain in the posterior region of her left knee, with subsequent scans indicating a possible sprain.
Following an assessment by the PCB’s medical team, Najiha will immediately begin a rehabilitation programme expected to last up to four weeks.
The national women’s selection committee has added Sadaf Shamas to the Asia Cup squad. The right-handed batter has represented Pakistan in 12 Women’s T20 Internationals (WT20Is) since making her international debut in January 2023.
The ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be held in Dubai from August 28 to September 13.
Pakistan have been placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Thailand and Hong Kong, China.
