Women’s Asia Cup 2026: Esha Oza to lead UAE, Chaiwai named Thailand skipper

Dubai, Aug 21 (IANS) Experienced all-rounder Esha Oza will captain a 15-member UAE squad in the eight-team Women’s Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to begin at the Dubai International Stadium on August 28.

The hosts have been placed in Group B alongside previous winners Bangladesh, Indonesia, and defending champions Sri Lanka. UAE will open their campaign against Sri Lanka on August 29, followed by clashes against Indonesia on September 4 and Bangladesh on September 8.

All matches in the tournament will be played under lights, starting at 6:30 pm local time. The two semi-finals are slated for September 10 and 11, with the summit clash scheduled for September 13. It’s the first time UAE will host the continental tournament. Both UAE and Thailand qualified for the main event via the 2026 ACC Premier Women’s Cup, held in Malaysia in June.

The selected squad features wicketkeeper-batter Theertha Satish alongside regular performers like Samaira Dharnidharka, Vaishnave Mahesh, and Indhuja Nandakumar.

Former international cricketer Subha Venkataraman will serve as the head coach of the side, and is supported by assistant coach Shahzada Saleem, with Shyla Alam and Merin Saji named as strength and conditioning coach and physiotherapist respectively.

Meanwhile, Naruemol Chaiwai will captain a 15-member Thailand squad in the tournament. Thailand are placed in Group A alongside Asian heavyweights and seven-time winners India, Pakistan, and regional qualifiers Hong Kong, China.

The Thai setup features key core players like wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Khoncharoenkai, top-order batter Nathakan Chantham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Thipatcha Putthawong, and Suleeporn Laomi.

UAE Squad: Esha Oza (captain), Archara Supriya, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukkumaran, Lavanya Keny, Mehul Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wk), Uttara Iyer, and Vaishnave Mahesh.

Thailand Squad: Naruemol Chaiwai (captain), Nannapat Khoncharoenkai (wk), Nathakan Chantham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Suleeporn Laomi, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Thipatcha Putthawong, Phannita Maya, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Chayanisa Phengpaeng, Nannaphat Chaihan, Koranit Suwanchonrathi, Thanrada Seesawan, and Naomi Hamilton.

–IANS

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