2026 Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars
| Dates | 13 – 22 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Asian Cricket Council |
| Cricket format | Twenty20, Twenty20 International |
| Tournament format(s) | Group round-robin and knockout |
| Host | Thailand |
| Champions | India A (2nd title) |
| Runners-up | Bangladesh A |
| Participants | 8 |
| Matches | 15 |
| Most runs | Esha Oza (200) |
| Most wickets | Fahima Khatun (10) Radha Yadav (10) |
The 2026 Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars (also known as DP World Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 for sponsorship reasons) was the second edition of the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars, and was played in Bangkok, Thailand, from 13 to 22 February 2026.[1] Eight teams participated in the tournament, featuring the 'A' teams of four nations with ODI status and the senior national teams of the top four associate members in Asia. Organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), all matches were held at the Terdthai Cricket Ground.[2][3]
India A were the defending champions and retained their crown, winning their second title at the 2026 Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars, defeating Bangladesh A by 46 runs in the final.[4][5]
Background
The tournament was originally scheduled to be hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket in June 2025. However, the ACC postponed the event due to a combination of adverse weather conditions and health concerns following an outbreak of chikungunya in the region.[6] Thailand was subsequently selected as the replacement host to provide a neutral venue and more stable weather during the February window.
Formally known as the ACC Women's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, the "Rising Stars" initiative was established to bridge the gap between domestic cricket and the senior international level. It serves as a developmental platform for young players to gain international experience. India A entered the 2026 edition as the defending champions, having defeated Bangladesh A by 31 runs in the inaugural final held in Hong Kong in 2023.[7]
Squads
On 3 February 2026, Umm-e-Hani was added to Pakistan's senior squad for their tour of South Africa; she was replaced by Omaima Sohail, with Hafsa Khalid taking over as captain.[16]
Venue
The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) stated that the 2026 Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament was moved to Bangkok, Thailand after Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva requested a postponement of the originally scheduled event in Sri Lanka due to adverse weather conditions and chikungunya related health concerns.[17]
| Venue in Thailand | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 2026 Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars (Thailand) | |
| Terdthai Cricket Ground | ||
| Capacity: 4,000 | ||
Group stage
The Asian Cricket Council announced the fixtures on 19 January 2026.[18]
Group A
Points table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India A | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3.042 | Advanced to the knockout stage |
| 2 | Pakistan A | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.457 | |
| 3 | United Arab Emirates | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | −0.765 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Nepal | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | −2.596 |
Fixtures
v
|
||
- Nepal won the toss and elected to field.
v
|
||
Anushka Sharma 47 (45)
Samaira Dharnidharka 3/40 (4 overs) |
- India A won the toss and elected to bat.
v
|
||
- Pakistan A won the toss and elected to bat.
v
|
||
- India A won the toss and elected to field.
- India A qualified for the Semifinals as a result of this match.[19]
v
|
||
- Pakistan A won the toss and elected to field.
- Pakistan A qualified for the Semifinals as a result of this match.[20]
Group B
Points table
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | NR | Pts | NRR | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangladesh A | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1.601 | Advanced to the knockout stage |
| 2 | Sri Lanka A | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2.083 | |
| 3 | Thailand | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1.236 | Eliminated |
| 4 | Malaysia | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | −4.971 |
Fixtures
v
|
||
- Thailand won the toss and elected to bat.
- Arrikan Phuengkho (Tha) made her T20I debut.
v
|
||
- Bangladesh A won the toss and elected to bat.
v
|
||
Nur Izzatul Syafiqa 19 (24)
Sachini Nisansala 2/7 (4 overs) |
- Sri Lanka A won the toss and elected to bat.
v
|
||
- Thailand won the toss and elected to bat.
- Bangladesh A qualified for the Semifinals as a result of this match.[21]
v
|
||
- Bangladesh A won the toss and elected to bat.
v
|
||
- Sri Lanka A won the toss and elected to bat.
- Sri Lanka A qualified for the Semifinals as a result of this match.[22]
Knockout stage
Bracket
| Semi-finals | Final | ||||||||
| A1 | India A | 119/5 (13.3 overs) | |||||||
| B2 | Sri Lanka A | 118 (19.4 overs) | |||||||
| SF1 | India A | 134/7 (20 overs) | |||||||
| SF2 | Bangladesh A | 88 (19.1 overs) | |||||||
| B1 | Bangladesh A | 110/8 (20 overs) | |||||||
| A2 | Pakistan A | 56 (16.4 overs) | |||||||
Semi-finals
Semi-final 1
v
|
||
Sanjana Kavindi 31 (35)
Radha Yadav 4/19 (3.4 overs) |
Semi-final 2
v
|
||
Final
Statistics
Most runs
| Runs | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 200 | Esha Oza | United Arab Emirates |
| 171 | Vrinda Dinesh | India A |
| 124 | Hansima Karunaratne | Sri Lanka A |
| 116 | Anushka Sharma | India A |
| 113 | Nannapat Koncharoenkai | Thailand |
| Source:ESPNCricinfo[25] | ||
Most wickets
| Wickets | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Fahima Khatun | Bangladesh A |
| Radha Yadav | India A | |
| 9 | Tanuja Kanwar | India A |
| 8 | Prema Rawat | India A |
| Sachini Nisansala | Sri Lanka A | |
| Source: ESPNCricinfo[26] | ||
References
- ^ "Complete Schedule Announced: ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026". Female Cricket. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Women's Asia Cup 2026 Rising Stars schedule: India face Pakistan on February 15 in Bangkok, check full fixtures list". The Indian Express. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Bangkok to host Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament from Feb 13". The Assam Tribune. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Ahuja and Patil star as India A win Women's Emerging Teams Asia Cup". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ "India A Women Clinch 46-Run Win Over Bangladesh A to lift DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars Womens 2026". Asian Cricket Council. Retrieved 22 February 2026.
- ^ "ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026: Schedule, Teams & Venues". WPLeague. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ "ACC announces schedule, groups for Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026". Geo Super. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
- ^ "Fahima Khatun leads a well-balanced Bangladesh 'A' side and will be central to their push to go one step further this edition 🇧🇩". Asian Cricket Council. Retrieved 6 February 2026 – via Instagram.
- ^ "India's squad for Test against Australia Women announced". BCCI. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
- ^ "Mas Elysa Yasmin will captain a strong Malaysian outfit as they gear up for the upcoming #DPWorldWomensAsiaCupRisingStars2026 🇲🇾". Asian Cricket Council. Retrieved 4 February 2026 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Nepal have unveiled an exciting squad, with promising all-rounder Puja Mahato entrusted with the captaincy 🇳🇵". Cricket Association of Nepal. Retrieved 31 January 2026 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Pakistan 'A' squad announced for ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Anushka Sanjeewani at the helm of a strong Sri Lanka 'A' unit 🇱🇰". Sri Lanka Cricket. Retrieved 30 January 2026 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Naruemol Chaiwai to Lead Thailand Women's Charge at Home Rising Stars Asia Cup 2026". Female Cricket. Retrieved 1 February 2026.
- ^ "Esha Oza and her side will look to pose a serious challenge during the #DPWorldWomensAsiaCupRisingStars2026 🇦🇪". Emirates Cricket. Retrieved 4 February 2026 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Hani replaces injured Rameen in Pakistan Women's white-ball squad for South Africa tour". Pakistan Cricket Board. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
- ^ "Bangkok to host Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament from Feb 13". The Assam Tribune. 19 January 2026. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
- ^ @ACCMedia1 (19 January 2026). "𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧'𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 The DPWorld Womens Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 is set to bring bold performances, big moments and the future of Asian cricket to the forefront" (Tweet). Retrieved 19 January 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ "India qualify for ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars semifinals with seven-wicket win over Nepal". thenewsmill.com. 17 February 2026.
- ^ "Pakistan 'A' qualifies for ACC Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars semis". Daily Times. Retrieved 18 February 2026.
- ^ "Bangladesh A Clinch Semi-final Berth as Farjana Easmin Steers Gritty Chase Past Thailand Women". Asian Cricket Council. 16 February 2026.
- ^ "Hansima Karunaratne Shines as Sri Lanka A Overcome Thailand Challenge to qualify for the Semi Finals". Asian Cricket Council. 18 February 2026.
- ^ "India A Women Storm Into Final With Confident Win Against Sri Lanka A Women". Asian Cricket Council. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ "Bangladesh A Women Storm Into Final With Powerful Win Against Pakistan A Women". Asian Cricket Council. 20 February 2026. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars, 2025/26 Records, batting most runs career at ESPNcricinfo Statsguru. Retrieved 20 February 2026.
- ^ Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars, 2025/26 Records, bowling most wickets career at ESPNcricinfo Statsguru. Retrieved 20 February 2026.