Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Schedule, Teams, and Broadcast Details
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 is set to begin in Dubai on Friday, with eight teams competing for the continental title. All the matches in the tournament will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The teams have been divided into groups for the first stage of the competition. The tournament will begin with group-stage matches, followed by the semi-finals and the final. The title match is scheduled to be played on September 13.
Sri Lanka enter the tournament as the defending champions. They won the 2024 edition after defeating India in the final. The Sri Lankan team will be hoping to continue its strong performance and defend the title this year.
India will also be one of the main teams to watch. The Indian side is led by Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana also expected to play an important role. India will be looking to make a strong comeback after a disappointing performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
However, India will miss the services of Jemimah Rodrigues, who is unavailable because of an injury. Her absence could be a challenge for the team, particularly in the batting department.
The tournament will follow a format similar to the 2024 edition. Teams will first compete in the group stage, with the best-performing sides moving into the knockout stage. The semi-finals will decide the two teams that will meet in the final.
Teams in the Competition
The participating teams have been divided into two groups. Group A includes India, Hong Kong, China, Pakistan, and Thailand. Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates.
With teams from different parts of Asia taking part, the tournament is expected to provide an opportunity for emerging players to compete against some of the region’s strongest sides.
Several star players will be in focus throughout the competition. For India, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana will be key players. Chamari Athapaththu will be an important player for defending champions Sri Lanka, while Nigar Sultana Joty will be one of Bangladesh’s leading players.
The performances of these experienced players could have a major impact on their teams’ chances of reaching the knockout stage.
India Looking for a Strong Comeback
India will enter the tournament with high expectations. The team has several experienced players and will be hoping to improve its performance after its recent disappointment in the T20 World Cup.
The Indian players will need to perform consistently throughout the group stage to secure a place in the semi-finals. Strong performances from the top-order batters and bowlers will be important as India looks to challenge Sri Lanka and the other teams for the title.
For fans in India, the matches can be watched on Sony Sports Network on television. The tournament will also be available for live streaming through Sony LIV.
With eight teams competing and the final scheduled for September 13, the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 promises several exciting matches as teams compete for one of the biggest titles in Asian women’s cricket.