Four days from now, a cricket ball is bowled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the this competition begins.
The the 10th edition is the 10th edition of the tournament — the 6th in T20 format — and arrives with one specific mission for Harmanpreet Kaur’s India: take back the trophy that Sri Lanka claimed at Dambulla in 2024. India are the most successful team in this competition competition history — seven titles across nine previous editions. Sri Lanka ended that dominance with an eight-wicket final win two years ago. The August 28 tournament in Dubai is India’s first opportunity to respond. The the Asia Cup runs from August 28 to September 13. All 15 matches at a single venue — the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Eight teams. Two groups. One title. India’s squad has been confirmed by the BCCI with Harmanpreet Kaur as captain and Smriti Mandhana as vice-captain — largely the same core group that won the T20 World Cup in 2026, though Jemimah Rodrigues (hamstring), Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam are all absent through injury. G. Kamalini replaces Yastika Bhatia as backup wicketkeeper. The most anticipated match of the the continental tournament group stage is September 5 — India vs Pakistan at 8:00 PM IST — which ICC described as “one of the biggest matches of the tournament.” Here is everything you need for the the 2026 edition — complete schedule, squads, groups, key storylines and the specific reasons this edition matters more than any since 2022.
AEO — Quick Answers
1. When does the competition start?
August 28, 2026 — Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Thailand vs Hong Kong China at 8:00 PM IST (6:30 PM UAE).
2. When is India vs Pakistan this Asia Cup?
September 5, 2026 — 8:00 PM IST — Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
3. Who is defending champion the tournament?
Sri Lanka — won 2024 final at Dambulla, beating India by 8 wickets.
4. Who is India captain for the event?
Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain).
5. Where to watch the series live in India?
Sony Sports Network (TV) and Sony LIV (streaming) — 8:00 PM IST every day.
Tournament Overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026 — 10th edition |
| Host | United Arab Emirates |
| Venue | Dubai International Cricket Stadium |
| Dates | August 28 — September 13, 2026 |
| Match time | 8:00 PM IST / 6:30 PM UAE |
| Teams | 8 |
| Matches | 15 |
| Most titles | India — 7 |
| Defending | Sri Lanka (2024) |
| Debutants | Indonesia |
| TV India | Sony Sports Network |
| Stream India | Sony LIV |
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — Groups
Group A
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| India | 7-time champions — favourites |
| Pakistan | Never won — runners-up 2012, 2016 |
| Thailand | Regular participants |
| Hong Kong China | Group stage team |
Group B
| Team | Status |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Defending champions (2024) |
| Bangladesh | 2018 champions |
| UAE | Hosts |
| Indonesia | DEBUT |
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — Complete Schedule
| Match | Teams | Date | IST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | Thailand vs Hong Kong China | Aug 28 | 8 PM |
| Match 2 | Sri Lanka vs UAE | Aug 29 | 8 PM |
| Match 3 | India vs Thailand | Aug 30 | 8 PM |
| Match 4 | Bangladesh vs Indonesia | Aug 31 | 8 PM |
| Match 5 | Pakistan vs Thailand | Sep 1 | 8 PM |
| Match 6 | UAE vs Indonesia | Sep 3 | 8 PM |
| Match 7 | India vs Hong Kong China | Sep 3 | 8 PM |
| Match 8 | Pakistan vs Hong Kong China | Sep 4 | 8 PM |
| Match 9 | INDIA vs PAKISTAN | Sep 5 | 8 PM |
| Match 10 | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | Sep 6 | 8 PM |
| Match 11 | Sri Lanka vs Indonesia | Sep 7 | 8 PM |
| Match 12 | Bangladesh vs UAE | Sep 8 | 8 PM |
| SF 1 | TBD | Sep 10 | 8 PM |
| SF 2 | TBD | Sep 11 | 8 PM |
| FINAL | TBD | Sep 13 | 8 PM |
India Squad — Complete 15
Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur | Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana
| Player | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur (c) | Batter | Captain |
| Smriti Mandhana (vc) | Opening Batter | VC |
| Shafali Verma | Opening Batter | Power hitter |
| Bharti Fulmali | Batter | Middle order |
| Pratika Rawal | Batter | Young talent |
| Richa Ghosh (wk) | WK-Batter | Primary keeper |
| G. Kamalini (wk) | WK-Batter | Replaces Yastika |
| Deepti Sharma | All-Rounder | Key option |
| Radha Yadav | Left-arm spin | Spinner |
| Renuka Singh | Fast | Spearhead |
| Arundhati Reddy | Fast | Pace option |
| Kranti Gaud | Fast | Pace option |
| N. Shree Charani | — | Squad member |
| Nandani Sharma | — | Squad member |
| Prerna Rawat | — | Squad member |
OUT: Jemimah Rodrigues (hamstring), Amanjot Kaur (injury), Kashvee Gautam (injury)
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — Jemimah Rodrigues Absence
Jemimah Rodrigues will not play the this tournament. A high-grade hamstring tear — sustained during The Hundred in England — rules her out entirely.
Her specific value: 360-degree batting, reverse sweeps against spin, death-over improvisation. Pratika Rawal and Bharti Fulmali carry greater responsibility in her absence. India’s core is strong enough to compensate — but the Jemimah gap in the middle order under pressure is real.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — India vs Pakistan September 5
The the competition group stage’s defining fixture.
Both teams in Group A. September 5. 8:00 PM IST. Dubai. The first meeting since the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 where India beat Pakistan by 64 runs.
Pakistan have never won the Women’s Asia Cup. Runner-up in 2012 and 2016 — both times to India. The 2026 edition offers another chance. Pakistan’s Fatima Sana — their best pace bowler — needs early wickets before dew settles on the Dubai outfield and makes bowling difficult. India’s Mandhana and Shafali need to establish a platform in the powerplay. Win this and Group A top position is almost certain. Lose it and India face a tougher semi-final path.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — Sri Lanka Defending
Sri Lanka beat India by eight wickets in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup final at Dambulla. Dominant. Clinical. Convincing.
They arrive in Dubai defending a title won on home soil — conditions they know best. Dubai is neutral ground and a different surface. Chamari Athapaththu’s ability to chase anything from the top of the order is the specific quality that makes Sri Lanka dangerous on any pitch. Their Group B match against Bangladesh on September 6 is the group stage’s other must-watch game.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — Indonesia Debut
Indonesia qualifying for the the tournament through the ACC Southeast Asia pathway is the tournament’s most important development cricket story. Three group matches against Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and UAE. Results will be difficult. The experience — broadcasting, international opponents, Dubai stadium — is the return on investment that women’s cricket in Southeast Asia needed.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — Dubai Venue Guide
Start time: 8:00 PM IST every match. Dew factor: Settles from over 10-12 of second innings under lights — chasing teams benefit structurally. Surface: Hard, true, fast-scoring — totals of 140-165 typical for competitive games. Single venue: Teams play all matches here across 17 days. The side that reads conditions fastest wins the tournament.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 — Title History
| Year | Champion | Runner-Up | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | India | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 2005-06 | India | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 2006 | India | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 2008 | India | Sri Lanka | ODI |
| 2012 | India | Pakistan | T20 |
| 2014 | Pakistan | Sri Lanka | T20 |
| 2016 | India | Pakistan | T20 |
| 2018 | Bangladesh | India | T20 |
| 2022 | India | Sri Lanka | T20 |
| 2024 | Sri Lanka | India | T20 |
India: 7 | Sri Lanka: 1 (defending) | Bangladesh: 1 | Pakistan: 1
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FAQ — the Asia Cup 2026
Q1: When does the this edition start and where?
The the tournament starts on August 28, 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in UAE. Opening match is Thailand vs Hong Kong China at 8:00 PM IST. All 15 matches — including semi-finals and final — are played at the same venue through September 13.
Q2: What is India’s squad for the continental T20?
India’s 15-member squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana (vc), Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Pratika Rawal, Richa Ghosh, G. Kamalini, Deepti Sharma, Radha Yadav, Renuka Singh, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud, N. Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma and Prerna Rawat. Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam are ruled out through injury.
Q3: Why is Jemimah Rodrigues not playing the Dubai tournament?
Jemimah Rodrigues sustained a high-grade hamstring tear during The Hundred in England and has been ruled out. High-grade hamstring injuries need six to ten weeks of rehabilitation — making August 28 participation impossible.
Q4: When is India vs Pakistan in the 10th edition?
India vs Pakistan is on September 5, 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium — 8:00 PM IST. It is India’s third group match and the most anticipated game of the group stage.
Q5: Who are defending champions of this competition?
Sri Lanka won the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup — beating India by eight wickets in the Dambulla final. India have won the most titles overall with seven. Bangladesh won 2018. Pakistan won 2014.
Q6: Who debuts in Women’s Asia Cup 2026?
Indonesia make their Women’s Asia Cup debut in 2026 after qualifying through the ACC Women’s Southeast Asia regional pathway. They play in Group B alongside Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and hosts UAE.
