ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 – Esha Oza to lead UAE’s squad

Dubai, 9 November 2026: Seasoned all-rounder Esha Oza will lead the 14-member UAE squad in the 10-team ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 which will be played at two Ajman venues from Thursday, 12 November. The venues are Seven Districts Sports Club and Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground. 

The 10 teams – up from eight in the inaugural edition – will be divided into two groups of five. Group A comprises Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts UAE, while Group B features Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Netherlands and Zimbabwe.

UAE begin their tournament journey with a clash against Ireland at the Seven Districts Sports Club on Friday 13 November from 9:00am local time. They play Scotland at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground on Sunday 15 November. UAE’s third match is against Sri Lanka – Monday, 16 November at the Karwan Sports Club Ground from 1:15pm local time. The side will take on PNG on Wednesday, 18 November at the Karwan Sports Club Ground from 9:00am local time. 

The Super Six stage – featuring three teams each from both groups will be played from Friday, 20 November to Monday, 23 November. The top two teams in this stage will progress to compete for the trophy in the Wednesday, 25 November tournament final which will be played at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground from 9:00am local time. 

UAE squad for ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026: Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Archara Supriya, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukkumaran, Mehul Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Simran Seth, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) and Uttara Iyer. 

Support Staff: Subha Venkataraman (manager), Oscar Nauhaus (head coach), Shyla Alam (strength and conditioning coach) and Merin Saji (physiotherapist). 

ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026 – UAE matches

Friday, 13 November – UAE vs Ireland, Seven Districts Sports Club, Ajman – 9:00am local time

Sunday, 15 November – Scotland vs UAE, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground, Ajman – 1:15pm local time 

Monday, 16 November – UAE vs Sri Lanka Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground, Ajman – 1:15pm local time

Wednesday, 18 November – PNG vs UAE, Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground, Ajman – 9:00am local time

Friday, 20 November to Monday, 23 November – Super Six Stage

Wednesday, 25 November – Final – Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground, Ajman – 9:00am local time