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The Women’s Asia Cup is one of the major cricket tournaments in Asian women’s cricket, bringing together leading teams from across the continent. The 2026 edition was played in the T20 format in Dubai, with eight teams competing for the title. India eventually won the tournament, defeating Sri Lanka in the final on September 13, 2026.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Overview
The 2026 Women’s Asia Cup was the 10th edition of the competition. Eight teams participated: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong, China.
The tournament was divided into two groups of four teams. Each side played three group-stage matches, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the semi-finals. All matches were scheduled at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
India entered the competition as one of the tournament’s most successful teams, while Sri Lanka were the defending champions after winning the 2024 edition. The competition also provided important opportunities for emerging women’s cricket teams to compete against established sides.
Women’s Asia Cup 2026 Results
India had a strong group-stage campaign, winning all three of their matches. They defeated Thailand by 94 runs, Hong Kong, China, and then Pakistan by seven wickets. India finished at the top of Group A with six points.
Sri Lanka also went unbeaten in Group B. The defending champions defeated the UAE, Indonesia and Bangladesh to finish first in their group. Bangladesh qualified for the semi-finals alongside Sri Lanka.
The semi-finals produced two important matches. India defeated Bangladesh by 40 runs, while Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan by four wickets in a close contest. Those results set up an India-Sri Lanka final.
Women’s Asia Cup Final 2026
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 final was played between India and Sri Lanka on September 13 in Dubai. India batted first and scored 183 for five in 20 overs, with Shafali Verma making 68 and Smriti Mandhana contributing 59.
Sri Lanka struggled during the chase and were dismissed for 111 in 20 overs. India therefore won the final by 72 runs and secured their eighth Women’s Asia Cup title. The victory also completed an unbeaten campaign for India.
India’s bowling attack played a major role in the final, with spinners putting sustained pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup. The result gave India another title in a competition where they have historically been highly successful.
Key Players in Women’s Asia Cup 2026
Shafali Verma was among the standout performers with the bat. She finished the tournament with 236 runs from five innings, including three half-centuries. Smriti Mandhana was another major contributor, finishing with 213 runs according to the tournament statistics.
Deepti Sharma was particularly effective with the ball, taking 14 wickets during the tournament. Sree Charani also had an impressive campaign with 12 wickets. Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu finished with 12 wickets and remained an important all-round contributor for the defending champions.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana also featured prominently among the tournament’s leading wicket-takers, finishing with nine wickets.
Pakistan in the Women’s Cup
Pakistan began their 2026 Women’s Asia Cup campaign against Thailand before facing India and Hong Kong, China in Group A. They reached the semi-finals after finishing second in the group with two victories from three matches.
Pakistan’s semi-final against Sri Lanka was closely contested. Pakistan scored 130 for five from their 20 overs, but Sri Lanka successfully chased the target with eight balls remaining to reach the final.
The campaign nevertheless gave Pakistan valuable experience against several of Asia’s leading women’s teams.
Why the Women’s Asia Matters
The Women’s Asia Cup provides an important international platform for women’s cricket in Asia. It brings established teams such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh together with developing sides, helping increase competitive opportunities across the region.
The T20 format also creates opportunities for younger players to gain experience in high-pressure matches. Strong performances in the tournament can help players establish themselves in their national teams and attract greater attention to women’s cricket.
Women’s Asia Cup FAQs
What is the Women’s Asia Cup?
The Women’s Asia Cup is a women’s international cricket tournament organized within the Asian cricket region. Teams compete for the continental championship in a format determined for each edition.
Who won the Women’s Asia 2026?
India won the Women’s Asia Cup 2026. They defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai and secured their eighth title.
Who was the runner-up in Women’s Asia 2026?
Sri Lanka finished as runners-up after losing the final to India. Sri Lanka had entered the tournament as defending champions.
Where was the Women’s Asia 2026 played?
The entire 2026 tournament was played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
How many teams played in Women’s Cup 2026?
Eight teams participated: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE, Thailand, Indonesia and Hong Kong, China.
Who scored the most runs in Women’s Asia 2026?
Shafali Verma was the leading run-scorer, finishing with 236 runs. Smriti Mandhana followed with 213 runs.
Who took the most wickets in Asia Cup 2026?
India’s Deepti Sharma finished as the leading wicket-taker with 14 wickets, followed by teammate Sree Charani with 12.
Conclusion
The Women’s Asia Cup 2026 delivered a competitive tournament featuring eight Asian teams and several memorable performances. India completed an unbeaten campaign and defeated Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final to claim their eighth title. With standout contributions from players such as Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, the tournament further highlighted the depth and growing profile of women’s cricket across Asia.
