Hosts United Arab Emirates have announced a 14-member squad, led by captain Esha Oza, for the second edition of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which begins in Ajman on November 12. The tournament has expanded from eight teams in its inaugural edition in Thailand to 10 for the upcoming event, bringing together five Full Member Nations: Ireland, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and five Associate Nations: Papua New Guinea, Scotland, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Thailand.
UAE Squad: Esha Oza (C), 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 (WK), Uttara Iyer
The tournament also marks the first major assignment for Oscar Nauhaus as UAE women’s head coach. Appointed last month, Nauhaus takes over after Ahmed Raza stepped away from the role to become head coach of the UAE senior men’s team. Nauhaus arrives from Cricket Namibia, where he most recently served as High Performance Manager. His work there focused on developing young players and guiding them through the national pathway system, experience that could prove valuable as UAE look to build depth and consistency across a growing women’s programme.
He also brings meaningful international exposure. Nauhaus coached Namibia’s U19 men’s side to qualification for the 2024 ICC U19 Men’s World Cup and was part of the Namibian men’s team support staff at the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Manager Subha Venkataraman, strength and conditioning coach Shyla Alam and physiotherapist Merin Saji complete the support staff. Together, they will oversee a UAE side entering a competition that offers valuable exposure against a mix of established Full Members and ambitious Associate nations.
UAE have been drawn in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland and Papua New Guinea. Group B comprises Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe. Esha Oza’s side opens their campaign against Ireland at the Seven Districts Sports Club on November 13, with play beginning at 9 am local time. Their remaining group fixtures will be played at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground.
UAE face Scotland on November 15 at 1:15 pm, before meeting Sri Lanka at the same time on November 16. They will conclude the group stage against Papua New Guinea on November 18, again starting at 9 am. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, scheduled from November 20 to 23. The two best sides from that phase will contest the final at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground on November 25.
With home conditions, a settled core led by Oza and a new coaching voice in Nauhaus, UAE will aim to turn their familiarity with Ajman into momentum. The expanded field raises the stakes, but it also gives the hosts an immediate opportunity to measure themselves against stronger opposition and make an early statement in the second edition of the tournament.
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