The Asian Cricket Council has announced a thrilling T20 spectacle: the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament, set to unfold in Bangkok from February 13 to 22. This platform is designed to nurture budding female cricketers from full-member ‘A’ teams and leading associate nations.
Group A features a powerhouse lineup with India A, Pakistan A, UAE, and Nepal, promising rivalries that transcend the field. In Group B, Bangladesh A, Sri Lanka A, Malaysia, and Bangladesh gear up for intense competition.
India A’s schedule starts strong with UAE on day one, February 13. The highlight? A charged India-Pakistan ‘A’ encounter on February 15, followed by Nepal on the 17th. Semifinals light up February 20, leading to the grand finale on the 22nd, where the top two from each group vie for glory.
Originally slated for Sri Lanka last June, the event was deferred amid monsoon rains and public health worries over chikungunya. Looking back, the 2023 debut in Hong Kong’s Mission Road Ground was marred by relentless downpours—seven of 12 group games abandoned, one semifinal scrapped. India A still clinched the title, overpowering Bangladesh A by 31 runs in the final.
With lessons learned and talents honed, this Bangkok edition could redefine Asia’s women’s cricket landscape, blending competition with opportunity.
