ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy Expands to 10 Teams in 2026 Edition

The ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy is set to expand to 10 teams for its 2026 edition in Ajman, UAE, featuring a mix of full and associate members. This tournament aims to enhance the international women's cricket pathway by providing emerging teams with more opportunities for competition. With a new format that includes a Super Six phase, the event promises to deliver exciting matches and valuable experiences for players. ICC officials highlight the importance of this expansion in fostering the growth of women's cricket globally. The tournament builds on the success of its inaugural edition, where Thailand emerged victorious.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 29, 2026, 14:44 IST

Overview of the Upcoming Tournament

Photo: IANS

Dubai, Oct 29: The second edition of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy is set to take place in Ajman, United Arab Emirates, from November 12 to 25, featuring an expanded lineup of 10 teams for the first time. This year, Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe will join five Associate Members, enhancing the competition aimed at bolstering the international women's cricket pathway.

The matches will be held at the Karwan Sports and Seven Districts grounds, with teams split into two groups of five. Following the group stage, a Super Six phase will lead to the final, adhering to a format endorsed by the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee and ratified by the ICC Chief Executives’ Committee.

This broader participation will unite teams from various levels of international cricket, providing players with increased exposure to diverse opponents and more chances to compete in a high-performance setting.

Group A includes Ireland, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Scotland, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Thailand, and Zimbabwe.

Gaurav Saxena, ICC General Manager – Events and Cricket Operations, emphasized that this expansion will create more significant international opportunities for emerging teams and foster the growth of women's cricket.

“The increase of teams in the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy to 10 is a crucial advancement in offering more substantial international competition for emerging teams and aiding the ongoing development of women’s cricket. The inclusion of five full members alongside five associate members will provide valuable opportunities for players to challenge themselves against a broader range of opponents and gain experience in a high-performance environment. We eagerly anticipate welcoming the teams to Ajman for this second edition,” he stated.

The 2026 tournament builds on the success of the inaugural event held in 2025, where Thailand claimed the championship on home turf. Thailand finished with equal points alongside Scotland, the Netherlands, and the UAE, with net run rate determining the final standings.

The first competition also served as a platform for individual performances to influence progress in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings, highlighting the significance of regular international exposure for developing teams.