Women’s T20 Asia Cup to kick off in Dubai today

The Women's T20 Asia Cup set to begin at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium onFriday (August 28).

Thailand and Hong Kong, China will kick off the eight-team tournament in the opening match on this evening.

The 17-day competition will runs through September 13, with every match staged at the same venue under lights.

Bangladesh, champions in 2018, have landed in Group B alongside defending champions Sri Lanka, hosts United Arab Emirates and tournament debutants Indonesia.

Nigar Sultana Joty will lead the side, with veteran left-arm spinner Nahida Akter as her deputy. The 15-member squad rounds out with Dilara Akter, Farjana Easmin, Juairiya Ferdous, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sarmin Sultana, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Sultana Khatun and Shanjida Akther Maghla.

The Tigresses will open their campaign against debutants Indonesia on August 31, before a heavyweight clash with defending champions Sri Lanka on September 6. They will wrap up the group stage against hosts UAE on September 8. All three fixtures are set for a 6:30pm start in Dubai, 8:30pm (Bangladesh time).

Bangladesh remain the only side besides India and Sri Lanka to have lifted the Women's Asia Cup, a breakthrough achieved in 2018 when they stunned India by three wickets in the final to claim their first continental crown — still regarded as one of the defining moments in the country's women's cricket history.

This year's edition splits the eight teams into two groups. India, Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China form Group A, while Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, UAE and Indonesia make up Group B, with the top two from each group advancing to the semi-finals.

The semi-finals are scheduled for September 10 and 11, ahead of the final on September 13.

Sri Lanka arrive as defending champions after edging India in the 2024 final in Dambulla, while India remain the tournament's most decorated side with seven titles.

The 2026 edition marks the 10th Women's Asia Cup and the first to be hosted by the UAE.