Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026: ten teams ready for UAE challenge

The United Arab Emirates will host the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 from 12 to 25 November, with ten teams competing in the tournament’s second edition.

Five full ICC members — Ireland, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe — will join the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and the UAE. The sides have been divided into two groups of five.

All matches will take place in Ajman, at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground and Seven Districts Sports Club. The group stage runs until 18 November, with the top three teams from each section advancing to the Super Six phase. The two best sides will then qualify for the final on 25 November.

Sri Lanka will be led by Harshitha Samarawickrama, while Nahida Akter captains Bangladesh.

Defending champions Thailand claimed the inaugural trophy in 2025, securing their first ICC title after finishing level on points with three rivals and prevailing on net run rate. All matches will be streamed live on ICC.TV.