The knockout stage of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 is set to deliver an exciting day of cricket on 20th February, with India A facing Sri Lanka A in the first semi-final at 8:00 a.m., followed by Bangladesh A taking on Pakistan A in the second semi-final at 12:30 p.m. Both matches promise high-intensity action as the teams battle for a place in the final. The winners of these two crucial encounters will meet in the grand final on 22nd February where the tournament’s top two sides will compete for the title.
Semifinals 1: India A vs Sri Lanka A
The Women’s Asia Cup Rising Star has been a challenge for both India A Women and Sri Lanka A Women, and their journeys to the semi-finals shows resilience, belief, and strong comebacks.
India A did not begin the tournament on a positive note. In their opening game against UAE, they posted 130, a total that seemed defendable but ultimately wasn’t enough. UAE chased it down in 19.2 overs, winning by seven wickets and handing India an early setback. It was a tough start, but sometimes a loss early in a tournament sharpens focus and that led India to reflect and bounce back stronger in their second match.
Against Pakistan A, India came back with intensity. Their bowlers dominated, dismissing Pakistan for just 93. The chase was clinical and fearless, as India raced to 97/2 in only 10.1 overs, winning by eight wickets with 59 balls to spare. They followed that up with another commanding performance against Nepal, bowling them out for 78 and chasing 82/3 in just 7.5 overs. Continuous wins turned their campaign around completely.
Sri Lanka A had a similar story of recovery. They also did not have an ideal start, suffering a narrow four run loss to Bangladesh, while chasing 115. But instead of letting that defeat demotivate them, they bounced back strongly. Against Malaysia, they piled up 172 and restricted their opponents to 66/8, sealing a massive 106-run victory. In their final league game against Thailand, they defended 133 successfully, bowling Thailand out for 110 and winning by 23 runs.
Both teams enter this semi-final with confidence built on lessons. India A brings explosive momentum, while Sri Lanka A brings balance and determination.
Semi-Finals 2: Bangladesh A vs Pakistan A
The second semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Star sets up an exciting clash between Bangladesh A Women and Pakistan A Women, two teams who have fought hard to reach this stage, each in their own way.
Bangladesh A have been one of the most consistent teams in the tournament so far. They began with a thrilling four-run win over Sri Lanka A, defending a modest total of 115 in a match that tested their response in pressure situations. That victory built the base for their campaign. Against Thailand, they chased down 103 and won by 3 wickets. In their final group match, Bangladesh delivered their most dominant performance, posting 151 and restricting Malaysia to just 61 for 9, sealing a massive 90-run win. Their balanced performances with both bat and ball have made them a formidable side heading into the knockouts.
Pakistan A’s journey, however, has been more dramatic. They started their tournament with a 30-run win over Nepal, displaying control and confidence. But their second match against India A was a setback, as they were bowled out for 93 and lost heavily. Pakistan responded strongly in their final group game. They bowled out the UAE for 79 and chased the target in just 11 overs, winning by nine wickets and regaining momentum at the perfect time.
As these two sides prepare to face off, Bangladesh A bring consistency and confidence, while Pakistan A carry resilience and the hunger to prove themselves. In knockout cricket, small moments often decide big matches. The team that handles pressure better and seizes those key moments will book their place in the final.
Loves all things female cricket