The ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 will be hosted in the United Arab Emirates, starting Thursday, 12 November. Ten teams will take part in the second edition of the tournament — two more than the first — with five full ICC members joining five associate nations in Ajman.
Thailand are the defending champions, having won the inaugural title on home soil in 2025. This year the tournament runs from 12 to 25 November, with the final at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground.
The groups
The 10 teams have been split into two groups of five.
Group A:
Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, United Arab Emirates (hosts)
Group B:
Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Netherlands, Zimbabwe
How the tournament works
The group stage will run from 12 to 18 November, with each team playing the other four teams in its group once. The top three teams from each group will progress to the Super Six phase.
The Super Six fixtures will be played on 20, 22 and 23 November, with each qualifying team playing the three teams that qualified from the other group. At the end of the Super Six, the top two teams will qualify for the final, which will be played on 25 November at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground.
All matches will be played in Ajman, split between the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground and the Seven Districts Sports Club. All matches will be live on ICC.TV.
Opening day fixtures — 12 November (UAE time)
09:00 — Sri Lanka vs Ireland, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground
09:00 — Papua New Guinea vs Scotland, Seven Districts Sports Club
13:15 — Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground
13:15 — Netherlands vs Thailand, Seven Districts Sports Club
Pakistan and Bangladesh group fixtures
Pakistan:
12 November, 13:15 — Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground
13 November, 13:15 — Thailand vs Pakistan, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground
15 November, 09:00 — Pakistan vs Netherlands, Seven Districts Sports Club
16 November, 09:00 — Zimbabwe vs Pakistan, Seven Districts Sports Club
Bangladesh:
12 November, 13:15 — Bangladesh vs Pakistan, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground
13 November, 13:15 — Zimbabwe vs Bangladesh, Seven Districts Sports Club
16 November, 09:00 — Bangladesh vs Netherlands, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground
18 November, 13:15 — Bangladesh vs Thailand, Seven Districts Sports Club
Pakistan squad
Muneeba Ali will captain Pakistan, taking charge in the absence of Fatima Sana, who is unavailable because she is playing in the Women's Big Bash League. Ayesha Zafar is the vice-captain.
Muneeba Ali (c), Ayesha Zafar (vc), Eman Naseer, Eyman Fatima, Gull Feroza, Momina Riasat, Nashra Sundhu, Sadaf Shamas, Saira Jabeen, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan, Umm-e-Hani, Waheeda Akhtar
Pakistan's bowling attack will be led by Nashra Sundhu, with Momina Riasat, Tuba Hassan and Umm-e-Hani forming the spin bowling quartet. In the pace department, Tasmia Rubab and Waheeda Akhtar are the frontline fast bowlers. Pakistan's women's side sealed a bronze medal at the recently concluded Asian Games.
Bangladesh squad
Nahida Akter will take charge of Bangladesh at the tournament after she replaced Nigar Sultana Joty as captain recently. Sobhana Mostary will provide her support in the role of vice-captain, while Nigar Sultana Joty is also named in the 15-member squad and will continue to play despite the absence of the captaincy.
Key pacer Marufa Akter will miss the event due to her ongoing ankle issue, with fellow quick Disha Biswas included in the squad after she missed Bangladesh's Asian Games campaign in September. There are also recalls for opener Sathi Rani and all-rounder Jannatul Ferdus Sumona.
Nahida Akter (c), Sobhana Mostary (vc), Dilara Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Shorna Akter, Disha Biswas, Juairiya Ferdous, Jannatul Ferdus Sumona, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Ritu Moni, Sathi Rani, Nigar Sultana Joty, Fariha Islam Trisna
Bangladesh's first match at the tournament comes against Pakistan at Karwan Cricket Ground in Ajman on 12 November.
The other eight squads
Group A
Ireland:
Gaby Lewis (c), Zara Craig, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Abbi Harrison, Amy Hunter, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Lara Maritz, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray
Papua New Guinea:
Brenda Tau (c), Pauke Siaka, Tanya Ruma, Dika Lohia, Geua Tom, Hane Tau, Henao Thomas, Hollan Doriga, Kevau Frank, Lakshmi Rajadurai, Naoani Vare, Baruka Vicky, Sibona Jimmy, Kevau Gabe
Scotland:
Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Hannah Rainey, Nayma Sheikh, Pippa Sproul, Isabella Watson
Sri Lanka:
Harshitha Samarawickrama (c), Sanjana Kavindi, Imesha Dulani, Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Kaveesha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sathya Sandeepani, Rashmika Sewwandi, Sugandika Kumari, Nimesha Meepage, Malki Madara, Chethana Vimukthi
United Arab Emirates:
Esha Oza (c), Heena Hotchandani, Theertha Satish, Maseera Jahangir, Archara Supriya, Sashikala Silva, Indhuja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukkumari, Mehul Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Simran Sheth, Suraksha Kotte, Uttara Iyer
Group B
Netherlands:
Babette de Leede (c), Carlijn van Koolwijk, Caroline de Lange, Frédérique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis
Thailand:
Naruemol Chaiwai (c), Nannapat Khoncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Thipatcha Putthawong, Phannita Maya, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Chayanisa Phengpaen, Nannaphat Chaihan, Naomi Kanokporn Hamilton, Sarnsiree Rosaline Plant
Zimbabwe:
Josephine Nkomo (c), Nomvelo Sibanda, Chipo Mugeri, Modester Mupachikwa, Nyasha Gwanzura, Loryn Phiri, Chiyedza Dhururu, Christina Mutasa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Beloved Biza, Sharne Mayers, Olinder Chare, Michelle Mavunga, Tendai Makusha
Where to watch
All matches will be live on ICC.TV, including the final on 25 November. Sign into your ICC Family account for all the details.
FAQs
When does the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 start?
The tournament starts on Thursday, 12 November 2026 in Ajman, UAE, and runs until the final on 25 November.
Which teams are in Pakistan's group?
Pakistan are in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Thailand, Netherlands and Zimbabwe. Their first match is against Bangladesh on 12 November.
Who captains Pakistan at the tournament?
Muneeba Ali captains Pakistan, with Ayesha Zafar as vice-captain. Regular skipper Fatima Sana is unavailable because she is playing in the WBBL.
Who won the first edition of the tournament?
Thailand won the inaugural edition on home soil in 2025.
When is the final?
The final will be played on Wednesday, 25 November at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground in Ajman, starting at 09:00 UAE time.
Conclusion
The expanded 10-team format gives the Women's Emerging Nations Trophy a bigger stage this year, and the Pakistan vs Bangladesh opener on 12 November is the perfect way to start. With Thailand defending their title, Sri Lanka and Ireland in a strong Group A, and a Super Six stage to decide the finalists, Ajman should deliver two weeks of competitive women's cricket — and a real chance for the emerging teams to make their mark.
Also on CricVic: Ireland name 14-player squad for ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy
Sources: ICC — All you need to know about Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 • ICC — All the squads at the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026