Asia Cup 2026: Schedule, Teams, Venues and Pakistan’s Campaign Guide

The Asia Cup 2026 women’s T20 edition concluded on 13 September 2026 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, with India lifting the trophy after beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final. Played from 28 August to 13 September 2026, the tournament featured eight teams, 15 matches and one venue, and delivered the biggest India-Pakistan women’s clash of the year. This complete Asia Cup 2026 guide covers the schedule and results, the teams and groups, the venues, Pakistan’s campaign, and what comes next for the Asia Cup.

Asia Cup 2026: Tournament Overview

The tournament was the women’s T20 edition of the continental championship, organised by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) — the full schedule was announced ahead of the event (see also the Asia Cup overview). All 15 matches were played at a single venue — the Dubai International Cricket Stadium — with every fixture starting at 6:30 PM local time under lights. Eight national teams competed in two groups of four, with the top two from each group reaching the semi-finals. India arrived as the most successful side in the tournament’s history, having won seven of the nine previous editions, but notably they were not the defending champions — Sri Lanka had beaten them in the 2024 final.

Asia Cup 2026 Teams and Groups

The eight teams were split as follows:

• Group A: India, Pakistan, Thailand, Hong Kong (China)
• Group B: Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Indonesia, UAE (hosts)

The expansion to eight teams — bringing in Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and hosts UAE alongside the five established sides — made this the most inclusive field yet. Each team played the other three sides in its group once during the league stage.

Asia Cup 2026 Schedule and Key Results

The schedule ran for 17 days. Here are the fixtures and results that shaped the tournament:

• 28 August: Thailand vs Hong Kong, China — tournament opener
• 1 September: Pakistan vs Thailand — Pakistan win
• 5 September: India vs Pakistan — India won by 7 wickets (the marquee clash)
• 6 September: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh — Sri Lanka won by 4 wickets
• 7 September: Pakistan vs Hong Kong, China — Pakistan won by 72 runs
• 8 September: Bangladesh vs UAE — Bangladesh won by 34 runs
• 10 September: Semi-final 1 — India beat Bangladesh by 40 runs
• 11 September: Semi-final 2 — Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by 4 wickets
• 13 September: Final — India beat Sri Lanka by 72 runs (India 183/5, Sri Lanka 111 all out)

Pakistan’s Campaign at Asia Cup 2026

Pakistan’s campaign showed promise but ended in semi-final heartbreak. Placed in Group A, Pakistan beat Thailand and Hong Kong (China) convincingly — including a 72-run win over Hong Kong — but lost the high-pressure group match to India by 7 wickets on 5 September. Finishing second in the group, Pakistan faced defending champions Sri Lanka in the semi-final on 11 September and lost by 4 wickets, ending their title dream. Pakistan women are still chasing a first Asia Cup title, having lost the 2012 and 2016 finals to India.

India vs Pakistan: The Marquee Clash

The India-Pakistan fixture on 5 September was the biggest group-stage match of the tournament, played before a packed Dubai crowd with tickets priced at AED 25. India chased down Pakistan’s total to win by 7 wickets, extending their dominance over Pakistan in the women’s Asia Cup — Pakistan’s only T20I-format win over India in the competition’s history came back in 2022.

The Final: India Are Champions Again

The final on 13 September saw India post 183/5 and then bowl Sri Lanka out for 111, winning by 72 runs to claim a record eighth women’s Asia Cup title. The triumph was briefly overshadowed by a trophy-presentation controversy: the Indian team declined to accept the trophy from ACC president Mohsin Naqvi, remaining in the dressing room on BCCI advice — the second year running an Indian team skipped receiving the Asia Cup trophy from the ACC chairman, after the men’s team did the same at the 2025 men’s Asia Cup.

Men’s Asia Cup Context and the Road to 2027

For context, the most recent men’s Asia Cup was the 2025 T20I edition in Dubai, where India beat Pakistan by 5 wickets in the final to win a record ninth men’s title. The next men’s Asia Cup is the 2027 ODI edition, scheduled for Bangladesh. Pakistan’s men have won the Asia Cup twice (2000 and 2012) and will be aiming to end India’s recent dominance when the tournament returns in the 50-over format.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Asia Cup 2026?
India won the women’s Asia Cup 2026, beating Sri Lanka by 72 runs in the final in Dubai on 13 September 2026.

Where was Asia Cup 2026 played?
All 15 matches were played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium from 28 August to 13 September 2026.

How did Pakistan perform at Asia Cup 2026?
Pakistan reached the semi-finals, beating Thailand and Hong Kong in the group stage, but lost to India in the group match and to Sri Lanka in the semi-final.

When is the next men’s Asia Cup?
The next men’s edition is the Asia Cup 2027, scheduled to be played in the ODI format in Bangladesh.

The Asia Cup 2026 women’s edition reinforced India’s continental dominance while showing the growing depth of Asian women’s cricket, with eight competitive teams and record crowds in Dubai. Pakistan will take heart from reaching the last four but must find a way past India and Sri Lanka to lift a first title. Read more in our Asia Cup: Pakistan’s record and history guide and follow the Sports section for Pakistan cricket updates.

In-Depth Guide: Asia Cup 2026: Schedule, Teams, Venues and Pakistan’s Campaign Guide

Cricket fever runs deep in Pakistan, and interest in asia cup 2026 shows it. Whether you follow the asia cup 2026 live score ball by ball or plan your month around the fixtures, this guide covers the essentials — the asia cup 2026 tickets booking process, the asia cup 2026 pakistan squad, and how to watch asia cup 2026 in pakistan so you never miss a moment.

Asia Cup 2026 Tickets Booking

The asia cup 2026 tickets booking usually opens in phases, with early-bird windows for premium stands followed by general sale. Buy only from official ticketing partners and keep your confirmation email safe — screenshots of QR codes are often rejected at stadium gates. For high-demand Pakistan matches, tickets sell out within hours, so create your account and save payment details in advance.

Breaking Down the Asia Cup 2026 Pakistan Squad

The asia cup 2026 pakistan squad blends experienced campaigners with exciting young talent. Selectors typically balance the squad with specialist batters, a wicketkeeper-batter, all-rounders for depth, and a pace attack suited to the conditions. Form in the weeks before the tournament matters more than reputation, which is why late squad changes are common.

How To Watch Asia Cup 2026 In Pakistan

For fans wondering how to watch asia cup 2026 in pakistan, matches are carried by official broadcast partners on television and their streaming apps. Radio commentary and ball-by-ball text coverage are good low-data alternatives when you are travelling. Avoid unofficial streaming sites — they are unreliable and often carry security risks.

What Pakistan Needs to Get Right

• Top-order consistency: quick starts in the powerplay set up big totals.
• Death bowling: yorkers and slower balls decide close games.
• Fielding standards: sharp fielding saves 15 to 20 runs per match.
• Handling pressure: knockout games are won by calm decision-making.