Women’s Asia Cup 2026 starts on August 28 in Dubai. Check the complete schedule, groups, squads, venue, India-Pakistan match, format and where to watch the tournament in India
New Delhi: The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 will begin on August 28 in Dubai, UAE, with eight teams competing for the continental T20I title. Meanwhile, the tournament will continue until September 13, with the Dubai International Cricket Stadium hosting the matches.
This year, the competition will mark the 10th edition of the Women’s Asia Cup and the sixth edition played in the T20 format. In addition, Sri Lanka enter the tournament as the defending champions after winning the 2024 edition. At the same time, India remain the most successful team in the history of the competition.
Furthermore, Indonesia will make its Women’s Asia Cup debut, adding another emerging team to the regional tournament. As a result, the 2026 edition will feature a fresh face alongside the established teams. Meanwhile, the ICC has confirmed the eight-team groups and the squads announced so far.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Women’s Asia Cup 2026 |
| Edition | 10th overall |
| Format | T20 International (T20I) |
| Dates | August 28 to September 13, 2026 |
| Number of Teams | 8 |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Host Country | United Arab Emirates (UAE) |
| Defending Champions | Sri Lanka |
| Most Successful Team | India |
| Final | September 13, 2026 |
When Will the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Start?
The tournament will open on August 28, when Hong Kong, China take on Thailand in the first Group A match.
Sri Lanka will begin their title defence against hosts UAE on August 29. India will enter the competition on August 30 against Thailand.
The group stage will continue until September 8, followed by the semi-finals on September 10 and 11. The tournament will conclude with the final on September 13.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Groups
The eight participating teams are divided into two groups.
Group A
- India
- Pakistan
- Thailand
- Hong Kong, China
Group B
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- United Arab Emirates
- Indonesia
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. The Group A winner will face the Group B runner-up, while the Group B winner will meet the Group A runner-up.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Format
The tournament follows a straightforward T20 format.
Each team will play three group-stage matches against the other teams in its group. The two teams with the most points from each group will advance to the semi-finals.
The knockout stage will feature:
- Semi-final 1: September 10
- Semi-final 2: September 11
- Final: September 13
The winners of the two semi-finals will meet in the final for the Asia Cup title.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Full Schedule
| Date | Match | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| August 28 | Thailand Women vs Hong Kong, China Women | Group A |
| August 29 | Sri Lanka Women vs UAE Women | Group B |
| August 30 | India Women vs Thailand Women | Group A |
| August 31 | Bangladesh Women vs Indonesia Women | Group B |
| September 1 | Pakistan Women vs Thailand Women | Group A |
| September 2 | Sri Lanka Women vs Indonesia Women | Group B |
| September 3 | India Women vs Hong Kong, China Women | Group A |
| September 4 | UAE Women vs Indonesia Women | Group B |
| September 5 | India Women vs Pakistan Women | Group A |
| September 6 | Sri Lanka Women vs Bangladesh Women | Group B |
| September 7 | Pakistan Women vs Hong Kong, China Women | Group A |
| September 8 | Bangladesh Women vs UAE Women | Group B |
| September 10 | Semi-final 1 | Knockout |
| September 11 | Semi-final 2 | Knockout |
| September 13 | Final | Final |
Pakistan’s confirmed schedule also lists matches against Thailand on September 1, India on September 5 and Hong Kong, China on September 7.
India vs Pakistan: When Is the Big Match?
The biggest group-stage fixture will see India face Pakistan on September 5.
The match will be India’s third and final group game. Pakistan will also have played Thailand and Hong Kong, China before meeting India.
The fixture carries additional interest because the two teams also met during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, where India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs.
India Women’s Squad for Asia Cup 2026
Harmanpreet Kaur will captain India, with Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain.
The confirmed 15-member squad is:
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 and Pratika Rawal.
Pakistan Women’s Squad
Fatima Sana will lead Pakistan in Dubai.
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 and Waheeda Akhtar.
Pakistan made a late squad change after Najiha Alvi was replaced by Sadaf Shamas because of injury.
Sri Lanka Women’s Squad
Defending champions Sri Lanka will be led by experienced captain Chamari Athapaththu.
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Mithali Ayodhya, Kavisha Dilhari, Imesha Dulani, Vishmi Gunaratne, Kawya Kavindi, Sanjana Kavindi, Sugandika Kumari, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Hasini Perera, Chamudi Praboda, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika Silva, Dewmi Vihanga and Chethana Vimukthi.
Sri Lanka will begin their title defence against UAE on August 29.
Bangladesh Women’s Squad
Bangladesh will have Nigar Sultana Joty as captain and Nahida Akter as vice-captain.
Nigar Sultana Joty (C), Nahida Akter (VC), Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sarmin Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla and Fariha Islam Trisna.
Bangladesh will start their campaign against Indonesia on August 31.
UAE Women’s Squad
Hosts UAE will be led by Esha Oza.
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 and Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE will open their campaign against defending champions Sri Lanka on August 29.
Thailand Women’s Squad
Thailand will be led by Naruemol Chaiwai, who heads a squad that largely retains the group that won the 2025 ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy.
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 and Naomi Hamilton.
Hong Kong, China Women’s Squad
Experienced batter Natasha Miles will captain Hong Kong, China.
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 and Yasmin Daswani.
Miles has scored more than 2,000 T20I runs for Hong Kong, China, while Mariko Hill is the team’s leading run-scorer in international cricket. Chan Ka Ying is their most successful bowler, with 151 wickets.
Indonesia Women’s Squad
Indonesia are set to make their Women’s Asia Cup debut in 2026.
As of August 25, 2026, the ICC’s published tournament squad list still lists Indonesia’s squad as TBC (to be confirmed). Therefore, no player names should be added until the Indonesian cricket authorities officially announce the squad. Until then, the squad details should remain listed as pending confirmation.
Where Will the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Be Played?
All matches will be staged at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.
Using one main venue gives the tournament a compact schedule and means teams will not have to travel between different cities during the competition.
The tournament will be played under lights, with matches scheduled in the evening local time.
What Time Will the Matches Start?
The listed match start time is 6:30 PM in Dubai, which is 8:00 PM IST.
That makes the tournament particularly convenient for Indian viewers, with the main matches scheduled during prime evening hours in India.
Where to Watch Women’s Asia Cup 2026 in India?
The supplied information lists Sony Sports Network for television coverage and SonyLIV for streaming.
However, viewers should check the latest broadcaster listings closer to each match because television feeds and channel assignments can change.
Women’s Asia Cup History
India have dominated the competition historically and remain the most successful team.
- India: 7 titles
- Bangladesh: 1 title
- Sri Lanka: 1 title
Sri Lanka won the 2024 edition after beating India in the final and will now attempt to defend their crown.
Pakistan have reached the final twice but are still searching for their first Women’s Asia Cup title.
Why the 2026 Asia Cup Matters
The 2026 edition brings together established teams and emerging cricket nations.
India will enter with strong expectations, while Sri Lanka will try to retain the trophy. Pakistan will look to challenge the two leading sides, and Bangladesh will aim to reach the knockout stage.
At the same time, Thailand and Hong Kong, China will get another opportunity to test themselves against Asia’s leading teams. UAE will have home conditions on their side, while Indonesia will experience the tournament for the first time.
The India-Pakistan match on September 5 will likely attract the biggest attention, but the group-stage race could remain open until the final round of matches.
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 promises two weeks of T20 cricket in Dubai, with eight teams competing for the continental crown. India will be among the favourites, Sri Lanka will arrive as defending champions, and Pakistan will be one of India’s main rivals in Group A.
The tournament begins on August 28, India start their campaign against Thailand on August 30, and the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash takes place on September 5. The final is scheduled for September 13.
