UAE and Thailand Announce Teams for Womens Asia Cup 2026, Esha Ojha to Lead UAE Squad

Dubai, August 21: The UAE has announced its 15-member squad for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, set to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium starting August 28. Experienced all-rounder Esha Ojha has been appointed as the captain of the team.

The host nation will compete in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the defending champions, Sri Lanka. The UAE will kick off its campaign against Sri Lanka on August 29, followed by matches against Indonesia on September 4 and Bangladesh on September 8.

All tournament matches will be played under floodlights, commencing at 6:30 PM local time. The semi-finals are scheduled for September 10 and 11, with the final taking place on September 13. This marks the first time the UAE will host this continental tournament. Both the UAE and Thailand qualified for the main event through the 2026 ACC Premier Women’s Cup held in Malaysia in June.

The UAE team features regular players such as wicketkeeper-batsman Teerth Satish, Samaira Dhanidharka, Vaishnavi Mahesh, and Induja Nandakumar. Former international cricketer Shubha Venkataraman will serve as the head coach, supported by assistant coach Shahzada Saleem. Shaila Alam and Merin Saji have been appointed as the strength and conditioning coach and physiotherapist, respectively.

Meanwhile, Narumol Chaiwai will captain the 15-member Thailand team. Thailand is placed in Group A with Asian powerhouses and seven-time champions India, Pakistan, and regional qualifiers Hong Kong and China. Key players in the Thailand squad include wicketkeeper-batsman Nannapat Khoncharoenkae, top-order batsman Nathakan Chantham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Thipacha Puttawong, and Suliporn Laomi.

UAE Team: Esha Ojha (Captain), Archara Supriya, Heena Hotchandani, Induja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukakumaran, Lavanya Kenny, Mehul Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dhanidharka, Siya Gokhale, Shashikala Silva, Suraksha Kote, Teerth Satish (Wicketkeeper), Uttara Ayyar, and Vaishnavi Mahesh.

Thailand Team: Narumol Chaiwai (Captain), Nannapat Khoncharoenkae (Wicketkeeper), Nathakan Chantham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Suliporn Laomi, Onicha Kamchomfu, Thipacha Puttawong, Phannita Maya, Afisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongratana, Chayanisa Fengpeng, Nannafat Chaihan, Koranit Suwanchonrathi, Thanrada Sisawan, and Naomi Hamilton.