Pakistan Leave Diana Baig Out of Asia Cup and Asian Games Squads

Pakistan have dropped experienced fast bowler Diana Baig from their squads for the upcoming Women's Asia Cup and Asian Games, signalling a potential shift in the team's T20 plans.

Baig, who made her T20I debut in 2015, was also left out of Pakistan's recent three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka after struggling for form during the T20 World Cup. She failed to make an impact after being brought into the playing XI against Australia and the Netherlands.

Experienced all-rounder Aliya Riaz is another notable absentee from Pakistan's Asia Cup squad. However, she has been included in the 15-member squad for the Asian Games.

Riaz's place came under pressure following a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign in which she scored just 37 runs in four matches. Her fielding also attracted criticism after she dropped several important catches at crucial moments.

Pakistan have instead opted for a younger pace-bowling group. Saira Jabeen, Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar have been included alongside captain Fatima Sana, who returns to lead the side in both tournaments after being given permission to skip the Sri Lanka series to play in The Hundred.

Jabeen has been selected for both tournaments, while Waheeda is part of the Asia Cup squad and Tasmia has been selected for the Asian Games. The selections indicate that Pakistan are looking beyond Baig as they prepare to rebuild their T20I side.

There are three changes between the squads named for the two tournaments. Wicketkeeper Najiha Alvi and left-arm spinner Sadia Iqbal have been selected only for the Asia Cup, while Aliya Riaz returns for the Asian Games squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board said the Asian Games squad had been submitted in June. As a result, Riaz's inclusion in that squad came before her poor performances at the T20 World Cup and does not necessarily indicate that she remains part of Pakistan's immediate T20 plans.

Pakistan have struggled in the format recently, winning just two of their last 10 completed T20Is. They lost four of their five matches at the T20 World Cup, with their only victory coming against the Netherlands. They then lost the first two matches of their series in Sri Lanka before claiming a consolation win in the final game.

Their struggles had begun even before the World Cup, with defeats against West Indies and Ireland in a preparatory tri-nation series in Dublin.

Pakistan's Asia Cup campaign

Pakistan have been placed in a group alongside India, Hong Kong and Thailand at the Asia Cup.

They will begin their campaign against Thailand on September 1 before facing arch-rivals India on September 5. Their final group-stage match will be against Hong Kong on September 7.

Asian Games campaign

At the Asian Games later in September, Pakistan are scheduled to play Thailand in the fourth quarter-final on September 17.

The selections for both tournaments suggest Pakistan are beginning to look toward a new generation of players while reducing their reliance on some of their more experienced campaigners.

Pakistan women's squad for Asia Cup

Fatima Sana (captain), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Najiha Alvi, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.

Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Sadaf Shamas

Pakistan women's squad for Asian Games

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Humna Bilal, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wicketkeeper), Nashra Sundhu, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani.

Reserves: Natalia Parvaiz, Waheeda Akhtar, Sadia Iqbal, Syeda Aroob Shah, Rameen Shamim