Dubai to host Women’s Asia Cup with India facing Pakistan on September 5
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has released the schedule for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, which will be held in Dubai from August 28 to September 13. The tournament will feature eight teams competing in the T20 format, with all matches scheduled to take place under lights at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A significant fixture in the league stage will see India take on Pakistan on September 5.
This edition marks the sixth time the Women’s Asia Cup will be played in the T20 format. The competition is divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals.
Tournament Structure and Key Matches
The eight participating teams have been allocated into two groups. Group A includes India, Pakistan, Thailand, and Hong Kong, China. Meanwhile, Group B comprises defending champions Sri Lanka, along with Bangladesh, UAE, and Indonesia.
The tournament is set to commence on August 28 with a match between Thailand and Hong Kong, China. India, who are three-time champions, will begin their campaign on August 30 against Thailand. Their second group stage match will be against Hong Kong, China on September 3, leading up to the highly anticipated encounter with Pakistan on September 5.
Other notable fixtures in the group stage include Sri Lanka‘s opening game against UAE on August 29. Bangladesh will start their tournament journey on August 31 against Indonesia. Pakistan‘s remaining league-stage matches are against Thailand on September 1 and Hong Kong, China on September 7.
Sri Lanka, who won the previous edition, will also face Indonesia on September 2 and Bangladesh on September 6. Bangladesh will conclude their group stage fixtures against UAE on September 8, and Indonesia will play UAE on September 4.
Knockout Stage and Historical Performance
Following the group stage, the semifinals are scheduled for September 10 and September 11. The winners of these matches will then compete in the final on September 13 to determine the continental champions. All 15 matches, including both semifinals and the final, will be played under lights, with a local start time of 6:30 pm.
Historically, India has been the most successful team in the competition, having secured three titles in 2012, 2016, and 2022. Sri Lanka enters this tournament as the defending champions, having won the previous edition. Bangladesh also has a title to their name, having won the competition in 2018.
The full schedule of the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 is as follows:
- August 28: Thailand vs Hong Kong, China
- August 29: Sri Lanka vs UAE
- August 30: India vs Thailand
- August 31: Bangladesh vs Indonesia
- September 1: Pakistan vs Thailand
- September 2: Sri Lanka vs Indonesia
- September 3: India vs Hong Kong, China
- September 4: UAE vs Indonesia
- September 5: India vs Pakistan
- September 6: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh
- September 7: Pakistan vs Hong Kong, China
- September 8: Bangladesh vs UAE
- September 10: Semi-final 1
- September 11: Semi-final 2
- September 13: Final
The tournament will conclude with the final match on September 13.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
