Esha Oza will captain the UAE women’s national cricket team at the ACC Women’s Premier Cup 2026 in Malaysia next month.
The 18-team T20 tournament runs from June 3 to 13, with UAE drawn in Group B alongside China, Oman, Philippines and Saudi Arabia.
The four semi-finalists will qualify for the ACC Women’s Asia Cup, giving UAE a clear target when they begin their tournament against Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, June 3.
Oza leads a 14-player squad that includes wicketkeeper Theertha Satish, Heena Hotchandani, Vaishnave Mahesh, Samaira Dharnidharka and Indhuja Nandakumar.
The UAE squad also includes Al Maseera Jahangir, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehul Pranav Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Sashikala Silva, Simran Sheth and Suraksha Kotte.
Ahmed Raza has been named head coach, with Subha Venkataraman as team manager. Shyla Alam will serve as strength and conditioning coach, while Merin Saji is the team physiotherapist.
UAE start with back-to-back morning matches. They face Saudi Arabia at YSD UKM Oval on June 3, before playing Oman at STC Oval the following day.
Their third group match is against China at YSD UKM Oval on June 7. They complete the group stage against Philippines at Bayuemas Oval on June 9.
The quarter-finals take place on June 10, followed by the semi-finals on June 12. The third-place play-off and final are scheduled for June 13.
The route seems simple enough on paper. They ladies need to get through the group, handle the knockouts, and reach the last four. Do that, and they will book their place at the ACC Women’s Asia Cup.
UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehul Pranav Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Sashikala Silva, Simran Sheth, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper), Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE fixtures
- June 3: UAE v Saudi Arabia, YSD UKM Oval, 9.30am
- June 4: UAE v Oman, STC Oval, 9.30am
- June 7: UAE v China, YSD UKM Oval, 9.30am
- June 9: UAE v Philippines, Bayuemas Oval, 2pm
- June 10: Quarter-finals
- June 12: Semi-finals
- June 13: Third-place play-off and final
