Women’s Asia Cup 2026: The 10th edition of the Women’s Asia Cup is set to begin on August 28, 2026, with eight teams competing in the T20I tournament at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the United Arab Emirates.
India enter the tournament as the most successful team in Women’s Asia Cup history, while Sri Lanka are the defending champions after winning the 2024 edition. India will begin their campaign against Thailand on August 30 before facing Pakistan and Hong Kong, China in Group A.
The 2026 tournament is particularly significant for India because it comes after a busy international season and ahead of another major assignment at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Updated: August 25, 2026
Information checked against: ICC and BCCI announcements available at the time of publication.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2026 |
| Edition | 10th |
| Format | T20 International |
| Start Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Final | September 13, 2026 |
| Host Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Teams | 8 |
| Defending Champions | Sri Lanka |
| Most Successful Team | India |
| Groups | Two groups of four teams |
The ICC has confirmed that the tournament will feature eight teams divided into two groups. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals.
When Does Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Start?
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 begins on August 28 in Dubai. Hong Kong, China and Thailand will play the opening match of the tournament.
India’s first match is scheduled for August 30 against Thailand. The group stage will be followed by the semi-finals on September 10 and 11, with the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final scheduled for September 13.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Teams
Eight teams will participate in the 2026 tournament.
Group A
- India
- Pakistan
- Thailand
- Hong Kong, China
Group B
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- United Arab Emirates
- Indonesia
The composition makes Group A particularly interesting because it contains traditional rivals India and Pakistan, along with Thailand and Hong Kong, China.
What Is New About the Women’s Asia Cup 2026?
One of the most interesting aspects of the 2026 edition is the presence of Indonesia alongside other developing women’s cricket nations. The tournament also includes Hong Kong, China, Thailand and UAE, giving emerging teams the opportunity to play against established sides such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The UAE will have an additional advantage of playing the tournament on home soil. Captain Esha Oza said the opportunity to play in front of family and friends is particularly significant for the team. This wider representation is important for the growth of women’s cricket in Asia because major tournaments provide developing teams with more opportunities to compete against higher-ranked opposition.
India at Women’s Asia Cup 2026
India have historically dominated the Women’s Asia Cup.
According to the ICC, India are the most successful side in the tournament, while Sri Lanka enter the 2026 edition as defending champions. India’s objective this year will therefore be clear: win back the continental title. India will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain.
India’s Updated Asia Cup Squad
- Harmanpreet Kaur – Captain
- Smriti Mandhana – Vice-Captain
- Shafali Verma
- Bharti Fulmali
- Deepti Sharma
- Richa Ghosh – Wicketkeeper
- G Kamalini – Wicketkeeper
- Arundhati Reddy
- Prema Rawat
- Radha Yadav
- Sree Charani
- Renuka Thakur
- Nandni Sharma
- Kranti Gaud
- Pratika Rawal
The squad was officially updated after Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out because of a high-grade right hamstring tear. The BCCI named Pratika Rawal as her replacement for the Asia Cup.
Jemimah Rodrigues Ruled Out: What It Means for India
Jemimah Rodrigues’ absence is one of the biggest changes to India’s Asia Cup plans.
The BCCI confirmed that Rodrigues suffered the injury while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred on August 3. Following assessment by the BCCI Medical Team, she was ruled out of both the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games.
For India, her absence means the team will have to adjust its batting combination. Pratika Rawal’s inclusion provides India with another batting option, while players such as Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma are likely to carry significant responsibility.
India’s Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Schedule
India are in Group A.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| August 30 | India vs Thailand | Dubai |
| September 5 | India vs Pakistan | Dubai |
| September 7 | India vs Hong Kong, China | Dubai |
The ICC has confirmed India’s group-stage schedule, with the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match taking place on September 5.
India vs Pakistan Women’s Asia Cup 2026
The India-Pakistan match is likely to be one of the most closely followed games of the tournament. The two teams are scheduled to meet on September 5 in Dubai. The match comes after their meeting at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, where India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs. For India, the match will be important not only because of the rivalry but also because a strong group-stage performance can help secure a favourable position going into the knockout stage.
Women’s Asia Cup History
The Women’s Asia Cup has a history stretching back more than two decades. The first edition was held in 2004, and India dominated the early years of the competition.
The tournament later moved from the ODI format to T20 cricket. The 2012 edition was the first Women’s Asia Cup played as a T20 tournament. India remained the dominant side, but Bangladesh broke India’s run by winning the 2018 edition. Sri Lanka then made history in 2024 by winning their first Women’s Asia Cup title.
Previous Women’s Asia Cup Champions
| Year | Champion |
|---|---|
| 2004 | India |
| 2006 | India |
| 2008 | India |
| 2012 | India |
| 2016 | India |
| 2018 | Bangladesh |
| 2022 | India |
| 2024 | Sri Lanka |
India have won seven titles, making them the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
Why Is Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Important for India?
There are several reasons why this tournament matters to Indian cricket.
1. India Want to Regain the Title
Sri Lanka defeated India in the 2024 final, meaning India enter 2026 without the trophy. The tournament therefore gives India an immediate opportunity to reclaim their position as Asian champions.
2. T20 Cricket Remains a Major Focus
The tournament is played in the T20I format, giving India’s players important competitive experience in the shortest international format.
3. India’s Squad Is Being Tested
With Jemimah Rodrigues unavailable, India will have to assess their batting combinations. The tournament provides an opportunity for players such as G Kamalini, Prema Rawat, Sree Charani, Kranti Gaud and Pratika Rawal to gain more exposure at a major international event.
4. Asian Games Follow Shortly After
The Women’s Asia Cup is followed by the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, beginning September 17. The BCCI has already announced India as the defending women’s cricket champions at the Asian Games. This makes September an especially important period for India’s women’s team.
Players to Watch at Women’s Asia Cup 2026
Rather than predicting who will definitely perform, these are some of the players whose roles and recent international experience make them particularly important to follow.
Smriti Mandhana – India
India’s vice-captain remains one of the key players in the team’s batting lineup. Her role at the top of the order will be especially important in the powerplay, where India will look to establish a strong platform.
Harmanpreet Kaur – India
The India captain brings extensive international experience. Her leadership will be important in high-pressure matches, particularly against Pakistan and in the knockout stage.
Shafali Verma – India
Shafali’s aggressive batting style makes her an important player in T20 cricket. If she provides India with quick starts, it can significantly influence the team’s powerplay approach.
Deepti Sharma – India
Deepti provides India with a valuable all-round option. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball gives the team flexibility in selecting its playing XI.
Chamari Athapaththu – Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan captain will be central to her team’s title defence. Sri Lanka’s status as defending champions means Athapaththu will be one of the players India’s campaign must account for.
Esha Oza – UAE
UAE captain Esha Oza is one of the tournament’s notable associate-nation players. She will lead UAE in their home tournament and has spoken about the importance of playing in front of family and friends.
Thipatcha Putthawong – Thailand
Thailand’s left-arm spinner is another player worth following. The ICC notes that she enters the tournament with 168 T20I wickets, level with India’s Deepti Sharma for the most wickets in women’s T20Is.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Format
The competition will use a simple group-and-knockout format.
Group Stage
Eight teams are divided into two groups of four. Each team plays the other teams in its group.
Semi-Finals
The top two teams from each group qualify for the semi-finals.
The semi-finals are scheduled for:
- September 10
- September 11
Final
The two semi-final winners will meet in the final on:
September 13, 2026.
The ICC confirms that the tournament will run from August 28 through September 13.
Where Is Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Being Played?
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 is being held in Dubai, UAE. The tournament will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The venue will host the competition, including the knockout stages. Dubai is also a familiar location for major Asian cricket competitions and has a large South Asian cricket audience.
Where to Watch Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in India?
Broadcast and streaming information can change, so readers should check the latest official listings before match day. For the most reliable information, fans should check the ICC’s official broadcast information and the broadcaster’s current schedule.
Official tournament information: ICC Cricket
Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Important Facts
- The 2026 tournament is the 10th edition.
- It will be played in the T20I format.
- The tournament starts on August 28, 2026.
- The final is scheduled for September 13.
- Eight teams will participate.
- India are the most successful team in the competition.
- Sri Lanka are the defending champions.
- India are in Group A with Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China.
- Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Indonesia are in Group B.
- India begin their campaign against Thailand on August 30.
- India and Pakistan meet on September 5.
- Jemimah Rodrigues is unavailable because of injury.
- Pratika Rawal has replaced Rodrigues in India’s Asia Cup squad.
Why the 2026 Tournament Matters for Women’s Cricket in Asia
The Women’s Asia Cup is increasingly becoming more than a competition between the region’s traditional cricket powers.
The 2026 edition includes teams such as Indonesia, UAE, Thailand and Hong Kong, China, providing more international exposure to developing women’s cricket programmes.
For these teams, playing against India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka can provide valuable experience. For established teams, these matches also create opportunities to test squad depth and develop younger players. The UAE’s participation as hosts is particularly notable, with Esha Oza leading the side in front of a home audience.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026: What Should Indian Fans Watch?
There are five major storylines worth following:
Can India Win Back the Trophy?
India have won seven editions but lost the 2024 final to Sri Lanka.
How Will India Replace Jemimah Rodrigues?
The batting combination will be one of the biggest selection questions.
Can Sri Lanka Defend Their Title?
Sri Lanka will attempt to win consecutive Women’s Asia Cup titles.
What Can the Emerging Teams Do?
Thailand, UAE, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia will be looking for opportunities to challenge the established sides.
Who Will Step Up for India?
The tournament could give younger players important opportunities alongside India’s experienced core.
Final Verdict
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 arrives at an important point for Indian women’s cricket.
India have the strongest historical record in the tournament, but Sri Lanka enter as defending champions. At the same time, the inclusion of developing teams adds another dimension to the competition.
For India, the biggest questions will revolve around regaining the title, managing the absence of Jemimah Rodrigues and giving younger players valuable T20I experience. With India vs Pakistan scheduled for September 5 and the final on September 13, the UAE tournament should provide plenty of interest for cricket fans across India and Asia.
One thing is certain: the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 will be an important test of India’s T20 strength before the team’s next major international assignments.
Also read, September 2026 Cricket Schedule: India Matches, Asia Cup, Key Series, Venues & Records
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