Truth that Matters. Stories that Impact

Truth that Matters. Stories that Impact

Sports

UAE Announces 15-Player Squad for Women’s Asia Cup 2026 with Esha Oza as Captain

The United Arab Emirates has named a 15-player squad for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, confirming seasoned batter Esha Oza as captain. The continental tournament is set to start on August 28, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, marking the first time the UAE will serve as the host nation for the premier women’s competition.

What Happened

Tournament organizers and cricket authorities have finalized the UAE roster for the upcoming continental championship. The host nation has been placed in Group B alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Indonesia. All matches will take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

The complete 15-player UAE squad includes Esha Oza as captain, joined by 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.

Key Highlights

  • Leadership Track Record: Captain Esha Oza brings extensive experience, having led the UAE in 54 Women’s T20 Internationals (WT20Is), securing 37 victories with a win percentage of 68.51 percent.
  • Batting Credentials: Across 117 WT20I appearances, Oza has compiled 3,403 runs with an average of 34.72 and a strike rate of 119.69, including five centuries and 14 half-centuries.
  • Historic Milestone: The event represents the first time the UAE is hosting the Women’s Asia Cup.
  • Group B Fixtures: The hosts will compete against Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and Bangladesh in the opening phase of the competition.
  • Key Dates: The tournament begins on August 28, 2026. UAE opens its campaign against Sri Lanka on August 29, followed by matches on September 4 against Indonesia and September 8 against Bangladesh.

Why This Matters

Hosting the Women’s Asia Cup gives the UAE national team the opportunity to compete at the highest continental level on home soil. Team captain Esha Oza noted the significance of home support, stating in comments quoted by the ICC that competing in front of family, friends, and home supporters represents a major milestone.

Oza also referenced prior history against opening opponents Sri Lanka, mentioning that while the UAE narrowly fell short during a previous home fixture two years prior, the squad is motivated to push for a victory in their opening match of this competition.

What to Watch Next

The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 schedule outlines several critical match days following the opening on August 28:

  • August 29, 2026: UAE vs Sri Lanka at Dubai International Cricket Stadium
  • September 4, 2026: UAE vs Indonesia
  • September 8, 2026: UAE vs Bangladesh
  • September 10–11, 2026: Semi-final fixtures
  • September 13, 2026: Final match

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is captaining the UAE team in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026?

Esha Oza has been named captain of the 15-player UAE squad for the tournament.

Which teams are in UAE’s group for the tournament?

The UAE is placed in Group B with defending champions Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Indonesia.

When and where will the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 take place?

The tournament begins on August 28, 2026, at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in the UAE, with the final scheduled for September 13, 2026.

Source: CricTracker via ICC official releases.