Dubai to host Women’s T20 Asia Cup starting August 28; India to face Pakistan on September 5

By Arjun Nair / 06.08.2026

By Arjun Nair — 6 August 2026 — 3 min read

Women’s Asia Cup 2026 schedule announced

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has released the schedule for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, which will be held in Dubai from August 28 to September 13. The tournament features eight teams divided into two groups, with all 15 matches, including the semifinals and final, set to be played under lights at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

India, three-time champions, are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, China. The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan is scheduled for September 5. Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and hosts United Arab Emirates.

The tournament will commence on August 28 with Thailand playing against Hong Kong, China. Sri Lanka will begin their campaign on August 29 against UAE, while Bangladesh will open their fixtures against Indonesia on August 31. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage.

India’s campaign and key fixtures

Harmanpreet Kaur‘s side, India, will start their tournament journey against Thailand on August 30. Following this, they will face Hong Kong, China on September 3 before their significant clash with Pakistan on September 5. This encounter is expected to be a marquee fixture during the league stage.

Pakistan‘s other league-stage matches include facing Thailand on September 1 and Hong Kong, China on September 7. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka, who were the winners of the previous edition in 2025, will play Indonesia on September 2 and Bangladesh on September 6, after their opening game against UAE.

Bangladesh will conclude their group-stage matches against UAE on September 8. Indonesia is also scheduled to play UAE on September 4. The semifinals are slated for September 10 and September 11, with the final match to determine the continental champions taking place on September 13.

India’s squad selection and preparations

The Indian selectors have announced a 15-member squad for the Women’s Asia Cup, largely retaining the team that will represent the country at the upcoming Asian Games. The squad sees one change from the Asian Games selection, with all-rounder Shreyanka Patil being left out as she recovers from an ankle ligament injury. Her place has been taken by leg-spinning all-rounder Prema Rawat, who was also drafted into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad as Shreyanka’s replacement.

Prema Rawat, 24-year-old, made her World Cup debut against South Africa in Manchester. The selection committee has continued to show faith in young wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini, who is 18-year-old. She has been preferred as the reserve wicketkeeper over Yastika Bhatia, despite Yastika Bhatia‘s century in a recent Test at Lord’s.

Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the Indian side, with Smriti Mandhana serving as vice-captain. The squad also features experienced players such as Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Renuka Thakur. Several members of the squad, including vice-captain Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, and Richa Ghosh, are currently participating in The Hundred in England.

The Asia Cup is seen as crucial preparation for the Asian Games in Japan, scheduled from September 17 to 22. The Indian squad aims to reclaim the continental title in Dubai.

The full India squad includes: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), G Kamalini (wicketkeeper), Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, Sree Charani, Renuka Thakur, Nandni Sharma, and Kranti Gaud. The reserves are Pratika Rawal, Uma Chetry (wicketkeeper), Vaishnavi Sharma, Sayali Satghare, and Minnu Mani.

Source: telanganatoday.com