The Pakistan National Women’s T20 Tournament 2025-26 gets underway today at the Ghani Glass Cricket Ground in Lahore, with defending champions Stars, captained by leg-spinner Tuba Hassan, taking on Diana Baig’s Challengers in the opening match of the five-team competition.
The tournament runs over 17 days and features 21 matches in a double round-robin format, played across Bagh-e-Jinnah, Ghani Glass Cricket Ground, and the LCCA Ground. The final is scheduled for April 12 at 10:00 am and will be live-streamed on the PCB YouTube channel.
A total of 80 players, divided into 16-member squads representing Stars, Challengers, Conquerors, Invincibles, and Strikers, will compete for a prize pool of PKR 3.3 million. The winners will receive PKR 1.5 million, while the runners-up will earn PKR 1 million. The competition also serves as a key preparatory platform ahead of Pakistan’s upcoming fixtures, including a home series against Zimbabwe (April 24-May 11), a T20I tri-series in Ireland, and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales (June 12-July 5), where New Zealand are the defending champions.
Captains Set the Tone
Tuba Hassan leads the Stars with an experienced core that includes batter Sidra Amin, aiming to build early momentum in the tournament.
“The first match is always important to build momentum. As defending champions, we will look to play good cricket and take the team forward. ”
Challengers, under Diana Baig, combine youth and experience, with the captain highlighting the importance of preparation ahead of the global tournament.
“The side has a good balance of youth and experience… This event is important in the lead-up to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Playing as many matches as possible helps in preparation.”
Conquerors, last season’s runners-up, are led by Fatima Sana, who emphasised leading by example.
“As captain, I will try to set an example through my actions, give confidence to the players and encourage them to express themselves.”
Invincibles are captained by wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali, while Strikers are led by left-arm spinner Nashra Sundhu, both guiding balanced squads blending experienced and emerging players.
Tournament Context and Importance
Each team will play eight matches before the top two sides qualify for the final. The tournament provides a platform for emerging players to push for national selection while preparing for a demanding international schedule.
Fatima Sana underlined the broader significance of the competition.
“Tournaments like these provide a platform for women cricketers to come forward and perform for Pakistan. We will closely monitor performances here.”
With spin-friendly conditions expected in Lahore and a competitive field, the tournament is set to play an important role in shaping Pakistan’s preparations for upcoming international events.
Pakistan Women’s T20 Tournament 2026 Schedule
- March 27, 2026: Stars vs Challengers – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- March 28, 2026: Invincibles vs Strikers – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- March 29, 2026: Conquerors vs Stars – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- March 30, 2026: Invincibles vs Challengers – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- March 31, 2026: Strikers vs Stars – Bagh-e-Jinnah Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- (Date not specified): Challengers vs Conquerors – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 2, 2026: Stars vs Invincibles – Bagh-e-Jinnah Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 2, 2026: Strikers vs Conquerors – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 3, 2026: Invincibles vs Conquerors – Bagh-e-Jinnah Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 3, 2026: Strikers vs Challengers – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 5, 2026: Invincibles vs Challengers – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 5, 2026: Conquerors vs Stars – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 2 PM
- April 6, 2026: Invincibles vs Strikers – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 6, 2026: Challengers vs Stars – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 2 PM
- April 8, 2026: Conquerors vs Challengers – Bagh-e-Jinnah Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 8, 2026: Stars vs Strikers – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 9, 2026: Conquerors vs Strikers – Bagh-e-Jinnah Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 9, 2026: Invincibles vs Stars – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 11, 2026: Challengers vs Strikers – LCCA Ground – 10 AM
- April 11, 2026: Conquerors vs Invincibles – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
- April 12, 2026: Final – Ghani Glass Cricket Ground – 10 AM
Squads
Challengers:
Diana Baig (c), Aman Fatima, Arijah Haseeb, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Natalia Parvaiz, Neelam Mushtaq, Rameen Shamim, Rehmat Noureen, Sana Talib, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Masooma Zehra, Tania Saeed, Yusra Ahtesham, Zunash Abdul Sattar
Conquerors:
Fatima Sana (c), Aleena Shah, Anosha Nasir, Aqsa Bibi, Areesha Noor, Ayesha Zafar, Ghulam Fatima, Gull Rukh, Hafsa Khalid, Komal Khan, Laraib Malik Aziz, Lubna Behram, Noor-ul-Iman, Rida Aslam, Samiya Afsar, Yusra Amir
Invincibles:
Muneeba Ali (c), Amber Kainaat, Farzana Farooq, Gull Feroza, Haniah Ahmer, Iram Javed, Javeria Siddique, Maham Anees, Mahnoor Zeb, Momina Riasat, Noreen Yaqoob, Rozina Akram, Saima Malik, Saiqa Riaz, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tayyba Imdad
Stars:
Tuba Hassan (c), Aleesa Mukhtiar, Ayesha Bilal, Ayesha Rehman, Eisha Naeem, Huraina Sajjad, Kaynat Hafeez, Laiba Mansoor, Laiba Nasir, Neha Sharmin Nadeem, Omaima Sohail, Samina Aftab, Sania Rasheed, Shabnam Hayat, Sidra Amin, Waheeda Akhtar
Strikers:
Nashra Sundhu (c), Aliya Riaz, Aliza Sabir, Areesha Ansari, Dua Majid, Fatima Khan, Fatima Zahra, Manahil Rafiq, Najiha Alvi, Quratulain, Rabia Rani, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab, Umm-e-Hani, Zaibun Nisa
