The stage is ready for one more chapter in Asian ladies’s cricket because the Ladies’s Asia Cup 2026 will get underway in Dubai on August 28. The tenth version of the match will deliver collectively eight groups, with the continental title at stake and loads of acquainted rivalries able to take centre stage. Sri Lanka enter because the defending champions, whereas seven-time winners India will probably be decided to reclaim the crown.
Eight groups, two teams and one coveted trophy
The match will probably be performed within the T20I format, with the eight groups divided into two teams. Group A options India, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China, whereas Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and match debutants Indonesia.
Every group will play the opposite sides in its group as soon as. The highest two groups from every group will progress to the semi-finals, scheduled for September 10 and 11, earlier than the ultimate on September 13. All matches will probably be staged on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium.
The opening match will see Thailand tackle Hong Kong, China on August 28, whereas India start their marketing campaign towards Thailand on August 30. One of many largest video games of the group stage, India versus Pakistan, is scheduled for September 5.
India and Pakistan headline a aggressive part
India stay probably the most profitable facet within the historical past of the competitors and can as soon as once more begin among the many favourites. Harmanpreet Kaur leads a squad full of expertise and match-winning skill, together with Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Deepti Sharma. Pratika Rawal has additionally been included after changing the injured Jemimah Rodrigues.
Pakistan, in the meantime, will probably be led by Fatima Sana. Their squad accommodates a mix of established names and rising gamers, whereas Thailand and Hong Kong, China will look to benefit from their alternatives towards the area’s main groups.
Defending champions face recent challenges
Sri Lanka arrive in Dubai with the boldness of defending champions after profitable their maiden Asia Cup title in 2024. Chamari Athapaththu stays on the coronary heart of their marketing campaign, with Harshitha Samarawickrama and a powerful supporting forged including depth to the facet.
Bangladesh may also be one to observe, with Nigar Sultana Joty persevering with as captain and Nahida Akter serving as vice-captain. Hosts UAE will hope dwelling circumstances work of their favour, whereas Indonesia are making ready for his or her first look within the match.
Additionally READ: UAE announce squad for Women’s Asia Cup 2026; Esha Oza to lead
Ladies’s Asia Cup 2026: Squads of all groups
- India Ladies: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), G Kamalini (wk), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal.
- Pakistan Ladies: Fatima Sana (c), Ayesha Zafar, Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (wk), Sadaf Shamas, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar.
- Thailand Ladies: Naruemol Chaiwai (c), Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Thipatcha Putthawong, Phannita Maya, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Chayanisa Phengpaen, Nannaphat Chaihan, Koranit Suwanchonrathi, Thanrada Seesawan, Naomi Hamilton.
- Hong Kong Ladies: Natasha Miles (c), Maryam Bibi, Chan Ka Ying, Chan Sau Ha, Chan Shing Yan Dorothea, Iqra Sahar, Joyleen Kaur, Mahekdeep Kaur, Mariko Hill, Marina Lamplough, Ruchitha Venkatesh, Shanzeen Shahzad, Siu Mei Wai, Wong Wing Kiu Hailey, Yasmin Daswani.
- Sri Lanka Ladies: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Mithali Ayodhya, Kavisha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kawya Kavindi, Sanjana Kavindi, Sugandika Kumari, Nimasha Meepage, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Hasini Perera, Chamudi Praboda, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Chethana Vimukthi.
- Bangladesh Ladies: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter (vc), Dilara Akter, Farjana Easmin, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sarmin Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla.
- United Arab Emirates Ladies: Esha Oza (c), Archara Supriya, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukkumaran, Lavanya Keny, Mehul Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish, Uttara Iyer, Vaishnave Mahesh.
- Indonesia Ladies: Nanda Sakarini (c), Kadek Winda Prastini, Rahmawati Pangestuti, Wesika Ratna Dewi, Rada Rani, Desi Wulandari, Putri Suwandewi, Kisi Salisa Kasse, Sang Maypriani, Ni Kadek Ariani, Derni Bangi, Dara Agung Laksmi, Lie Qiao, Maria Corazon Wombaki, Sofia Velic.
With heavyweight contenders, formidable affiliate groups and Indonesia coming into the competitors for the primary time, the 2026 Ladies’s Asia Cup guarantees an enchanting mixture of expertise and rising expertise. India will chase one other title, Sri Lanka will try to retain their crown, and the likes of Pakistan, Bangladesh and UAE will probably be wanting to disrupt the established order.
Additionally READ: Anjum Chopra predicts the winner of Women’s Asia Cup 2026
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
