The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 gathers eight sides in Dubai, blending Asia’s established powers with a fresh wave of associate nations. From India’s star-studded batting to Sri Lanka’s title defence, the team sheets carry intrigue this year.
Four heavyweights, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, have named their squads, while the four qualifiers are finalising theirs closer to the first ball. Fatima Sana returns to lead Pakistan, and Chamari Athapaththu spearheads a Sri Lankan side chasing back-to-back crowns.
In this article, we cover the schedule window, each team’s squad and captain, the tournament format, and the players to watch.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Checklist
Group A pairs India and Pakistan with Thailand and Hong Kong (China), while Group B places defending champions Sri Lanka alongside Bangladesh, hosts UAE and newcomers Indonesia. The snapshot below sets out each side’s captain and headline storyline.
Every team carries a distinct identity, from serial champions to first-time hopefuls, and the checklist that follows frames what each brings to Dubai.
| Team | Short Code | Group | Captain | Key Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | IND | A | Harmanpreet Kaur | Record seven-time champions chasing an eighth title |
| Pakistan | PAK | A | Fatima Sana | Two-time runners-up; captain returns to the fold |
| Sri Lanka | SL | B | Chamari Athapaththu | Defending champions after their maiden 2024 title |
| Bangladesh | BAN | B | Nigar Sultana Joty | 2018 winners built around an experienced core |
| Thailand | THA | A | Naruemol Chaiwai (most recent) | Unbeaten run through the Premier Cup qualifiers |
| Hong Kong, China | HK | A | To be confirmed | Qualified by topping their Premier Cup group |
| United Arab Emirates | UAE | B | Esha Oza | Host nation, through via the Premier Cup |
| Indonesia | INA | B | Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini | Dominant qualifiers making their mark |
The four sides with confirmed squads are profiled first, followed by the four qualifiers whose final lists are still to be released.
1. India (IND)
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harmanpreet Kaur | Captain |
| 2 | Smriti Mandhana | Vice-Captain |
| 3 | Shafali Verma | Squad member |
| 4 | Jemimah Rodrigues | Squad member |
| 5 | Bharti Fulmali | Squad member |
| 6 | Deepti Sharma | Squad member |
| 7 | Richa Ghosh | Wicketkeeper |
| 8 | G. Kamalini | Wicketkeeper |
| 9 | Arundhati Reddy | Squad member |
| 10 | Prema Rawat | Squad member |
| 11 | Radha Yadav | Squad member |
| 12 | Sree Charani | Squad member |
| 13 | Renuka Thakur | Squad member |
| 14 | Nandni Sharma | Squad member |
| 15 | Kranti Gaud | Squad member |
India name a powerful, experienced squad captained by Harmanpreet Kaur, with Smriti Mandhana as her deputy and Richa Ghosh keeping wicket. The full 15 are listed below, with roles shown where officially designated.
India remain the most decorated team in Asia Cup history and arrive as clear favourites, driven by the batting of Mandhana and Rodrigues and the all-round craft of Deepti Sharma. Young wicketkeeper G. Kamalini comes in as backup to Richa Ghosh, a nod to the depth Harmanpreet Kaur has at her disposal as India target a record-extending eighth crown.
2. Pakistan (PAK)
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fatima Sana | Captain |
| 2 | Ayesha Zafar | Squad member |
| 3 | Eman Naseer | Squad member |
| 4 | Eyman Fatima | Squad member |
| 5 | Gull Feroza | Squad member |
| 6 | Momina Riasat | Squad member |
| 7 | Muneeba Ali Siddiqui | Squad member |
| 8 | Najiha Alvi | Squad member |
| 9 | Nashra Sundhu | Squad member |
| 10 | Sadia Iqbal | Squad member |
| 11 | Saira Jabeen | Squad member |
| 12 | Shawaal Zulfiqar | Squad member |
| 13 | Tuba Hassan | Squad member |
| 14 | Umm-e-Hani | Squad member |
| 15 | Waheeda Akhtar | Squad member |
*Reserves: Tasmia Rubab, Humna Bilal, Maham Anees, Sadaf Shamas.
Pakistan welcome back Fatima Sana as captain after her earlier absence, naming a 15-member squad with several first-choice names restored. The full list, plus reserves, appears below.
Pakistan have never won the Asia Cup but reached the final in 2012 and 2016, and the return of Fatima Sana gives them a settled leader and a genuine strike bowler. With Muneeba Ali anchoring the top order and a spin group featuring Sadia Iqbal and Nashra Sundhu, Pakistan will fancy their chances of a semi-final push out of Group A.
3. Sri Lanka (SL)
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chamari Athapaththu | Captain |
| 2 | Harshitha Samarawickrama | Vice-Captain |
| 3 | Kaushini Nuthyangana | Wicketkeeper |
| 4 | Imesha Dulani | Squad member |
| 5 | Sanjana Kavindi | Squad member |
| 6 | Vishmi Gunarathne | Squad member |
| 7 | Kaveesha Dilhari | Squad member |
| 8 | Nilakshika Silva | Squad member |
| 9 | Hasini Perera | Squad member |
| 10 | Dewmi Vihanga | Squad member |
| 11 | Sugandika Dassanayaka | Squad member |
| 12 | Chamudi Praboda | Squad member |
| 13 | Chethana Vimukthi | Squad member |
| 14 | Kawya Kavindi | Squad member |
| 15 | Mithali Ayodya | Squad member |
Defending champions Sri Lanka name a 15-member squad led by Chamari Athapaththu, with Harshitha Samarawickrama as vice-captain and Kaushini Nuthyangana behind the stumps. The full squad is listed below.
Sri Lanka begin their title defence built around the talismanic Athapaththu, whose batting and leadership drove the maiden 2024 triumph over India. The squad mixes that experience with youth, including a maiden call-up for Dewmi Vihanga, as the champions aim to prove their breakthrough was no one-off in a competitive Group B.
4. Bangladesh (BAN)
| No. | Player | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nigar Sultana Joty | Captain, Wicketkeeper |
| 2 | Nahida Akter | Vice-Captain, Lead spinner |
| 3 | Marufa Akter | Pace spearhead |
| 4 | Ritu Moni | All-rounder |
| 5 | Sarmin Sultana | Top-order batter |
| 6 | Dilara Akter | Squad member |
| 7 | Juairiya Ferdous | Squad member |
| 8 | Sharmin Akter Supta | Squad member |
| 9 | Sobhana Mostary | Squad member |
| 10 | Shorna Akter | Squad member |
| 11 | Fahima Khatun | Squad member |
| 12 | Rabeya Khan | Squad member |
| 13 | Sultana Khatun | Squad member |
| 14 | Shanjida Akther Maghla | Squad member |
| 15 | Fariha Islam Trisna | Squad member |
Bangladesh field an experienced unit captained by Nigar Sultana Joty, with Nahida Akter as vice-captain and lead spinner. The full squad, including the roles the board specified, is given in the table.
Bangladesh, champions in 2018, rely on a settled core and a strong spin attack led by Nahida Akter, with Marufa Akter offering genuine pace up front. Captain Nigar Sultana Joty holds the middle order and the gloves together, and in a Group B that includes Sri Lanka and the UAE, their experience could be decisive in the race for the semi-finals.
5. Thailand (THA)
| Aspect | Detail (reference, pending official squad) |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Via 2026 ACC Women’s Premier Cup, Kuala Lumpur |
| Recent captain | Naruemol Chaiwai |
| Qualifying form | Unbeaten group stage, beat Nepal in the quarter-final |
| Group | Group A |
Thailand qualified through the ACC Women’s Premier Cup with an unbeaten run, and their full Asia Cup squad has not yet been formally announced. The reference details below reflect their most recent leadership and qualifying form rather than a confirmed final list.
Thailand have become one of Asia’s most consistent associate sides, long led by Naruemol Chaiwai, and their disciplined bowling underpinned a clean qualifying campaign. Placed in a tough Group A alongside India and Pakistan, they will look to spring an upset, though the final squad remains to be confirmed by the Cricket Association of Thailand nearer the tournament.
6. Hong Kong, China (HK)
| Aspect | Detail (reference, pending official squad) |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Via 2026 ACC Women’s Premier Cup, Kuala Lumpur |
| Captain | To be confirmed |
| Qualifying form | Topped their group; beat Japan by 41 runs |
| Group | Group A |
Hong Kong (China) booked their place by topping their Premier Cup group, and their full Asia Cup squad and captaincy have not yet been officially confirmed. The reference points below are provided in place of an announced list.
Hong Kong (China) arrive as one of the less-heralded names in the field, but a group-topping qualifying run shows a side capable of holding its own against fellow associates. Drawn in Group A with the two subcontinental giants, their realistic target is to be competitive and build experience, with the squad expected to be named closer to the opening fixtures.
7. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
| Aspect | Detail (reference, pending official squad) |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Via 2026 ACC Women’s Premier Cup, Kuala Lumpur |
| Captain | Esha Oza |
| Qualifying form | Beat Malaysia convincingly in the quarter-final |
| Group | Group B |
As hosts, the UAE reached the tournament through the Premier Cup and will enjoy home conditions in Dubai. Their full Asia Cup squad has not yet been formally released, so the details below serve as a labelled reference.
The UAE lean heavily on captain Esha Oza, a prolific top-order batter who has anchored the side for years, and home familiarity with Dubai’s surface is a real advantage. In Group B alongside Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the hosts will back themselves to compete, with the final squad due to be confirmed by the Emirates Cricket Board ahead of the event.
8. Indonesia (INA)
| Aspect | Detail (reference, pending official squad) |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Via 2026 ACC Women’s Premier Cup, Kuala Lumpur |
| Captain | Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini |
| Qualifying form | Crushed Oman by 113 runs in the quarter-final |
| Group | Group B |
Indonesia are among the newest names on this stage, having qualified in dominant fashion through the Premier Cup. Their full Asia Cup squad is not yet officially announced; the reference details below reflect their qualifying campaign.
Indonesia’s rise is one of the stories of this edition, led by Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini and powered by bowlers such as Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, who starred during qualifying. Stepping up to this level in Group B will be a stern test, but simply reaching Dubai marks a milestone for the country’s women’s game, with the full squad to be confirmed nearer the start.
Tournament Format & Playoff Architecture
The Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 edition uses a straightforward two-group knockout structure that keeps every group game meaningful.
- Eight teams are divided into two groups of four, Group A and Group B.
- Each group is played as a single round-robin, so every team faces the other three in its group once.
- The top two sides from each group advance to the semi-finals.
- Semi-Final 1 pits the Group A winner against the Group B runner-up.
- Semi-Final 2 pits the Group B winner against the Group A runner-up.
- The two semi-final winners meet in the final on September 13 to decide the champion.
Players to Watch
Beyond the marquee names, this edition offers a clutch of individuals who could shape the trophy race and announce themselves on a bigger stage.
Chamari Athapaththu and Smriti Mandhana remain must-watch batters at the top of their sides, while Pakistan’s returning captain Fatima Sana adds pace and leadership in one package.
Among the newer faces, India’s backup wicketkeeper G. Kamalini and Sri Lanka’s debutant Dewmi Vihanga carry real promise, and Indonesia’s Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, a standout with the ball in qualifying, is worth tracking as the associates test themselves against Asia’s best.
Conclusion: 8 Teams Will Compete At Dubai
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 team line-ups set up a compelling fortnight, with India’s depth, Sri Lanka’s title defence, and Pakistan’s revamped squad headlining a field that also rewards four hungry qualifiers. The contrast between serial champions and first-time hopefuls gives the tournament its edge.
While India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh arrive with confirmed squads, the associate nations are finalising theirs, and those lists are expected to be locked in before the opening fixtures.
Follow your team, track the emerging talent, and get set for a Dubai showpiece where reputation guarantees nothing once the cricket begins.
