The United Arab Emirates women’s cricket team is set to reclaim their pride as they head into the Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament, following their defeat in the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Despite their loss against Sri Lanka, they were honoured with the ICC Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year award for their outstanding performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“Winning the ICC Associate Member Women’s Performance of the Year award is a proud moment for UAE cricket. Over the last few years, we have laid special emphasis on promoting and developing women’s cricket and it is heartening to see those efforts have now started to bear fruit,” said Mubashshir Usmani, General Secretary of Emirates Cricket Board.
The UAE team made their debut in the Asia Cup in 2022, which was won by India. This year, despite missing a spot in the 2024 T20 World Cup, they have secured 11 wins, showcasing their strength.
Under the captaincy of Esha Oza, the leading run-scorer in Women’s T20Is this year, the team boasts a talented lineup, including Vaishnave Mahesh, who has taken 16 wickets in 2024. The UAE is placed in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, and Nepal. The tournament begins today, 19th of July, in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.
Here are the match schedules for the UAE team:
- 19th July: UAE vs Nepal at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka 12:30pm GST (UAE time)
- 21st July: UAE vs India at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka – 12:30pm GST (UAE time)
- 23rd July: UAE vs Pakistan at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka – 12:30pm GST (UAE time)
Here are the members of the team participating in Women’s Asia Cup T20 tournament:
- Esha Oza (captain)
- Theertha Satish (Wicket keeper)
- Emily Thomas
- Samaira Dharnidharka
- Kavisha Egodage
- Lavanya Keny
- Khushi Sharma
- Indhuja Nandakumar
- Rinitha Rajith
- Rishitha Rajith
- Vaishnave Mahesh
- Suraksha Kotte
- Heena Hotchandani
- Mehak Thakur
- Rithika Rajith
