New Delhi: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) defeated India A by 7 wickets in their opening match of the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Thailand on Friday, February 13. Skipper Esha Oza led her side from the front and scored an unbeaten 72 runs off 61 balls as the UAE chased down a 131-run target with four balls to spare. She hit seven boundaries and two maximums during her brilliant knock.
India A got off to a poor start after opting to bat first, as pacer Samaira Dharnidharka dismissed Humairaa Kaazi for three runs in the second over of the innings. She picked up two wickets in the powerplay, removing Vrinda Dinesh (16) and Tejal Hasanbis (1).
Anushka Sharma, who performed well in the recently concluded Women’s Premier League (WPL 2026) with the Gujarat Giants, brought some stability to the Indian innings, scoring 47 runs off 45 balls with the help of seven boundaries.
Radha Yadav, Minnu Mani, and Mamatha Madiwala failed to make big contributions with the bat. But Tanuja Kanwer played a brilliant cameo at the end, and 34 runs off 25 balls to help her side post 130/9 in 20 overs.
Captain Esha Oza shines for UAE
Chasing the 131-run target, the UAE Women got off to a great start as Oza and Theertha Satish forged a 40-run partnership for the opening wicket before the latter was dismissed by leg spinner Prema Rawat in the eighth over.
But Oza stitched a 71-run partnership with Dharnidharka to help the UAE inch closer to the winning line. With just four runs needed in the last over, Radha brought herself into the attack and ignited hopes of the Indian fans, removing Rinitha Rajith on the first delivery, but Heena Hotchandani smashed a boundary on the next ball to help UAE register a sensational seven-wicket win. The UAE will next take on Nepal on February 15, while India A will face Pakistan A later that day.