INDIA, PAKISTAN, SRILANKA & BANGLADESH make it to semis of Rising Stars Cup

The Women's Asia Cup for  Rising Stars organised by Asian Cricket Council and played in Bangkok from 13 to 22 February 2026 has reached the semi finals stage. As expected India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh made the cut, but not before UAE created a huge impact. The tournament formerly known as the ACC Women's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup was initiated in 2023 at Hong Kong. India won the inaugural championship in 2023 led by Shweta Sherawat outclassing Bangladesh in the finals.

The second edition was originally scheduled to be hosted by Sri Lanka Cricket in June 2025. However, the ACC had to shift the venue to Thailand in February 2026. Eight teams participated in the tournament which features the 'A' teams of four nations with ODI status (India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh) and the senior national teams of the top four associate nations (UAE, Thailand, Malaysia and Nepal). All matches are held at Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok

Group A comprised of India A, Pakistan A, UAE and Nepal. In the first day, UAE created a storm by beating India A by 7 wickets. Pakistan A managed to outsmart Nepal. UAE continued their winning streak against Nepal on the second day. India A came back from the shock and beat Pakistan by 8 wickets and 10 overs to spare. On the third day, India had it easy over Nepal in the third match and topped the table. In the virtual quarter final between UAE and Pakistan, Pakistan bowled out UAE for 79 and chased the target with 9 wickets and overs to spare., With all three India, Pakistan and UAE being tied for 4 points, India and Pakistan made it to the semi finals based on superior Net Run Rate

Group B comprised of Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Thailand and Malaysia. While hosts Thailand had an easy win against Malaysia in their first encounter, Bangladesh just pipped ahead of Sri Lanka in a thriller. In their second encounters, Sri Lanka beat Malaysia by a huge margin while Bangladesh had to battle out nerves to win a thriller against Thailand. In their final round of matches, Bangladesh women beat Malaysia comfortably while Sri Lanka outsmarted Thailand to a comfortable win. With 6 and 4 points each, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka made it to the final four. 

While the A teams of the ODI playing nations made it to the semi finals as expected, the tremendous performances of UAE and Thailand deserves a special mention. UAE beat India and if not for their collapse against Pakistan would have made it to the last four. Hosts Thailand gave a tough fight to both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. All these performances augur well for the cause of more cricket for associate nations. The semi finals (India vs Sri Lanka and Bangladesh vs Pakistan) will be played tomorrow, 20 February 2026 and the finals will take place on Sunday, 22 February 2026. Indian fans can watch the tournament on the Sony Liv App, Sony Liv Website and Sony Sports Channels in TV., The tournament can be followed at Asian Cricket Council website