The recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier had the United Arab Emirates (UAE) be a part of the 8-team qualifying event and finished at the bottom (4th) of the points table in Group B with a win and a couple of defeats coming off 3 games.
The lone win UAE registered during the league stage games had come in their final, 3rd game, against Zimbabwe in a tense chase as the side off the last ball got the required single to be over the line. The side was trashed by Scotland in the 5th place Semi-Final game and then in the 7th place playoff handed a defeat to the United States of America (USA) in a tense chase as the side again off the last ball got the required single to register the win.
In the lead-up to the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier, on home soil, in the Quadrangular T20I series featuring the USA, Zimbabwe and Thailand, the United Arab Emirates had failed to bag a single win and finished the tournament at the bottom of the table with defeats in all 3 games. It now is a quick turnaround as the United Arab Emirates make their trip to Bangladesh to feature in their first-ever Asia Cup tournament.
The United Arab Emirates have confirmed their squad for the Asia Cup which sees 14 players retained from the team that featured in the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier and the only change that’s taken place is a boosting one as 16-year-old, Mahika Gaur replaces 16-year-old Rinitha Ranjith in the squad of 15.
United Arab Emirates squad for Asia Cup :
Chaya Mughal (c), Esha Rohit Oza, Kavisha Egodage, Theertha Satish (wk), Khushi Sharma, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Vaishnave Mahesh, Natasha Cherriath, Indhuja Nandakumar, Rithika Rajith, Lavanya Keny, Suraksha Kotte, Priyanjali Jain, Mahika Gaur
Mahika Gaur received her maiden cap aged 12 and when an opportunity came her way, she made sure to count them big. In the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier, she finished the tournament with 11 wickets in 5 matches and was the 2nd highest wicket-taker. She’d registered figures of 4-4 that included a hat-trick v Malaysia and then registered a fifer v Nepal with figures 5/2 in the same tournament. She’s made it to the Hundred for Manchester Originals and also featured in the Thailand T20 Smash.
The UAE play their opening game against Sri Lanka on the 2nd of October, they then play India on the 4th of October, Malaysia on the 5th of October, Thailand on the 7th of October and conclude their league stage games playing Pakistan on the 9th of October and hosts Bangladesh on the 11th of October.
After a few years of absences, it is the return of the women’s Asia Cup that India has dominated over the years. The 2022 upcoming edition of the women’s Asia Cup is all set to be played from the 1st to the 15th of October at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium and Sylhet Outer Cricket Stadium in Bangladesh.
Asian Cricket Council’s (ACC’s) President, Mr Jay Shah stated, “For the first time in the history, 7 women’s teams will be participating in a complete round robin format which we anticipate will be a great boost to the ACC associate teams. We are also very pleased to note that the tournament will be conducted in line with ACC’s vision for women’s cricket. The ACC, with this vision in mind, is constantly striving toward being more inclusive.
“The 2022 edition of the Women’s Asia Cup will therefore see more embedded female participation. For the first time ever, an ACC tournament will see an all-female presence on the playing field, with the women’s tournament being slated to have only female umpires and female match referees. As an organization, we hope to continue to take steps to strengthen the sport by highlighting female talent in every avenue.”
The tournament will see 7 teams contests in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, UAE and hosts Bangladesh feature during the league. It also has been understood that all visiting teams are scheduled to touchdown in Bangladesh on the 27 and 28th of September.
UAE’s schedule for Women’s Asia Cup 2022
Sunday, October 2nd 13:30 v Sri Lanka
Tuesday, October 4th 13:30 v India
Wednesday, October 5th 13:30 v Malaysia
Friday, October 7th 09:00 v Thailand
Sunday, October 9th 13:30 v Pakistan
Tuesday, October 11th 09:00 v Bangladesh
