Women’s Asia Cup 2026 schedule announced: India to face Pakistan on September 5 in blockbuster clash

Table of Contents

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially announced the complete schedule for the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, setting the stage for another exciting edition of the continental tournament. The competition will be held entirely at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from August 28 to September 13, with defending champions India aiming to retain their crown. One of the biggest fixtures of the league stage will see India renew their fierce rivalry with Pakistan on September 5, a contest expected to draw massive attention from cricket fans across the globe.

The 2026 edition will feature eight teams, split into two groups of four. India headline Group A, alongside Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China. Group B consists of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The tournament will begin on August 28, with Thailand taking on Hong Kong, China in the opening fixture. Every match, including the semi-finals and final, will be played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

Each team will face every other side in its group once during the league stage. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the knockout stage, with the semi-finals scheduled for September 10 and 11, while the championship match will be played on September 13.

India will kick off their title defence on August 30 against Thailand before facing Hong Kong, China on September 3. The most anticipated league-stage fixture will come on September 5, when the Women in Blue lock horns with Pakistan in one of the biggest rivalries in world cricket.

The India-Pakistan contest has consistently been among the marquee attractions of the Women’s Asia Cup, and the latest chapter is expected to be no different. With both teams aiming for a strong finish in the group stage, the result could play a significant role in determining the semi-final lineup.

Meanwhile, Group B promises an equally competitive battle, with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, UAE and Indonesia fighting for the remaining knockout spots. Sri Lanka will open their campaign against the UAE on August 29, while Bangladesh begin their journey against Indonesia on August 31.

Also READ: BCCI announces star-studded India Women squad for Asia Cup 2026

Once the league phase concludes, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals. The first semi-final is scheduled for September 10, followed by the second on September 11. The winners will then meet in the grand final on September 13, where the new Women’s Asia Cup champions will be crowned.

With a compact schedule, a single venue and several high-profile encounters lined up, the tournament promises nearly three weeks of quality T20 cricket. India will enter the competition as favourites, but strong challenges are expected from Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, making the road to the title anything but straightforward.

Also READ: Ayesha Zafar sizzles as Pakistan avoid clean sweep against Sri Lanka in WT20I series

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.