Shamas joins Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad

Pakistan have replaced injured wicketkeeper-batter Najiha Alvi with Sadaf Shamas in their squad for the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board said Monday. Alvi reported pain in her posterior left knee, with scans later indicating a possible sprain. She is expected to undergo a rehabilitation programme lasting up to four weeks. The national women’s selection committee has added right-handed batter Shamas to the squad for the tournament in Dubai. Shamas, who made her T20 international debut in January 2023, has played 12 WT20Is for Pakistan. The Asia Cup will run from August 28 to September 13, with Pakistan drawn in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Thailand and Hong Kong, China.