The tenth edition of the Women’s Asia Cup is set to start from August 28 with eight teams taking part in the competition hosted by the United Arab Emirates. The teams will be divided in two groups with the top two finishers from each group advancing to the semi-finals. The final is going to be played on September 13 at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, which hosts all tournament matches.
Group A comprises India, Pakistan, Thailand, Hong Kong whereas Group B features Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the UAE.
India women
India women enter the tournament as undisputed favourites. After losing the final to Sri Lanka in the previous edition, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur leads a deeply talented squad looking for continental redemption.
Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Shafali Verma, Bharti Fulmali, Richa Ghosh (WK), G. Kamalini (WK), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Radha Yadav, N. Sree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur, Nandni Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal.
Pakistan women
Led by newly appointed dynamic captain Fatima Sana, Pakistan women have a point to prove in the Asia Cup. They played warm-up matches against men’s sides to prepare heavily and would look forward to getting the job done.
Whereas a heavy spin-bowling machine featuring Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, and Tuba Hassan will be incredibly lethal on dry Dubai tracks, Pakistan’s challenge will be the batting inconsistency.
Squad: Fatima Sana (C), Muneeba Ali (WK), Gull Feroza, Sidra Amin, Aliya Riaz, Iram Javed, Omaima Sohail, Daris Shukr, Nida Dar, Tuba Hassan, Nashra Sundhu, Sadia Iqbal, Diana Baig, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas.
Also read: Breaking the Mold: The evolution of Women’s Asia Cup
Thailand women
Under skipper Naruemol Chaiwai, Thailand women are now considered the genuine giant killers. With exceptionally disciplined bowling core and balance in the batting, they are not underdogs anymore.
Thailand’s left-arm orthodox spinner Thipatcha Putthawong is one of the players to watch out for in the tournament. She is the joint-highest wicket-taker in global Women’s T20Is alongside India’s Deepti Sharma. Thailand will also like to overcome the challenges of generating boundaries in the death overs against the world class pace attacks.
Squad: Naruemol Chaiwai (C), Nattaya Boochatham, Thipatcha Putthawong, Chanida Sutthiruang, Natthakan Chantham, Suwanan Khiaoto (WK), Onnicha Kamchomphu, Suleeporn Laomi, Rosenan Kanoh, Phannita Maya, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Apisara Suwanchonrathi, Chayanisa Phengpaen, Kanyakorn Bunthansen, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (WK).
Hong Kong women
For Hong Kong women, crossing the group stage remains a steep mountain. They will rely heavily on their individual stars. All-rounder Mariko Hill and the veteran top-order batter Yasmin Daswani with the ability to anchor the innings are their key players. As a team, Hong Kong will aim to maintain a high structural fielding standard across full 20 overs against top-tier international sides.
Squad: Natasha Miles (C), Maryam Bibi (VC), Mariko Hill, Kary Chan, Yasmin Daswani (WK), Shanzeen Shahzad (WK), Betty Chan, Marina Lamplough, Alison Siu, Heiley Lui, Joyleen Kaur, Iqra Sahar, Dorothea Chan, Pull To, Ruchitha Venkatesh.
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