Dubai: Three-time champions India will renew their storied rivalry with Pakistan on September 5 as the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) on Thursday unveiled the schedule for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, to be played in Dubai from August 28 to September 13.
India, the tournament’s most successful side, have been placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China, with the highly anticipated India-Pakistan encounter expected to be the marquee fixture of the league stage.
India will begin their campaign against Thailand on August 30 before taking on Hong Kong, China on September 3. Harmanpreet Kaur’s side will then face Pakistan in the much-awaited clash on September 5.
The eight-team competition has been divided into two groups of four. While Group A consists of India, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China, Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and hosts United Arab Emirates.
The tournament will commence on August 28 with Thailand taking on Hong Kong, China at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Sri Lanka will begin their campaign against UAE on August 29, while Bangladesh open their campaign against Indonesia on August 31.
Pakistan’s remaining league-stage fixtures will see them face Thailand on September 1 and Hong Kong, China on September 7.
Sri Lanka, the winners of the previous edition held in 2025, will play Indonesia on September 2 and Bangladesh on September 6 after their opening game against UAE. Bangladesh will round off their group-stage fixtures against UAE on September 8, while Indonesia will also take on UAE on September 4.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage, with the first semifinal scheduled for September 10 and the second semifinal on September 11.
The winners of the two semifinals will meet in the final on September 13 to decide the continental champions. All 15 matches of the tournament, including both semifinals and the final, will be played under lights at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
(IANS)
