UAE SHOCK INDIA A WITH AN IMPRESSIVE 7-WICKET VICTORY

UAE SHOCK INDIA A WITH AN IMPRESSIVE 7-WICKET VICTORY

The DP World Asia Cup Rising Stars Women’s 2026 held at TCG in Bangkok has come alive at the end of the opening day as the improving United Arab Emirates team have defeated India A by seven wickets with four balls to spare as they chased India A’s total of 130 for 9 with captain Esha Oza making an unbeaten 72 from 61 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes.

Oza had been heartbroken on this ground less than a year earlier when her team had failed to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier having been beaten by Thailand and Nepal. Her team had then played well in the Emerging Teams Trophy also hosted by Thailand but this victory is undoubtedly the crowning glory for the UAE women’s team as they outplayed a strong India A team for much of the afternoon.

Samaira Dharnidharkar had taken two wickets in her first over and followed with a third wicket to as India A ended the six-over powerplay on 34 for 3 before Anushkar Sharma hit 48 from 47 balls to lead a recovery which eventually saw 29 come from the last two overs.

Nepal had been unable to chase a total of 137 for 6 made by Pakistan A but UAE began their innings confidently with Oza sharing a valuable opening stand of 40 with left-handed keeper Theertha Satish. Dharnidharkar came in at number three and at first gave solid support to her captain but eventually the boundaries came from both batters against the spinners as the Indians could not hold on to some difficult chances in the field.

Dharnidharkar was out for 31 after a stand of 71 with Oza but the new batter Rinitha Rajith hit her first ball for four to keep up the momentum and when pace returned in the 19^th over Oza hit two imperious boundaries off Saima Thakor. Rajith was out at the start of the last over but Heena Hotchandani hit the winning boundary from her first ball.

Esha Oza was player of the match for her unbeaten 72 and figures of 2 for 30 and she had probably made a wonderful contribution to the best victory in the history of UAE women’s cricket.

PAKISTAN A HOLD OFF SPIRITED NEPAL

The newly rebranded Asia Cup Rising Stars Women’s 2026 tournament got underway at TCG as the Asian Cricket Council again show their commitment to women’s cricket in Asia.

Pakistan A beat Nepal by 30 runs in the first match after Nepal asked Pakistan A to bat first and they made 137 for 6 in 20 overs as Hafsa Khalid made a resolute 40* and Waheeda Akhtar hit a speedy 23 from 15 balls. 59 runs came in the last five overs of the innings after Nepal had restricted their rivals to 78 for 4 in 15 overs.

Nepal made a spirited effort in their chase but were restricted to 107 for 6 despite 39 from Bindi Rawal but wickets fell regularly as Anosha Nasir took 3 fr 20 and Momina Raisat 2 for 21.

Hafsa Khalif was named player of the match for her innings of 40 which saw Pakistan A through to a winning total.