Asia Cup Rising Stars: UAE Defeats India-A by 7 Wickets

In a major upset at the Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Bangkok, UAE Women defeated India-A by 7 wickets. Chasing a target of 131, UAE captain Esha Oza played a match-winning unbeaten knock of 72 runs. Earlier, India-A struggled to reach 130/9 despite Anushka Sharma's 47.

A significant upset occurred in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, February 13. The India-A Women's team suffered a comprehensive 7-wicket defeat at the hands of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their opening fixture. This result coincided with another major cricketing upset where Zimbabwe defeated Australia in the Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Led by experienced all-rounder Radha Yadav, the Indian side failed to defend a modest total against a disciplined UAE outfit.

India-A Batting Struggles Against UAE Attack

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, India-A struggled to find momentum throughout their innings. The UAE bowling attack, led by Samaira Dharnidharka, exploited the conditions effectively, keeping the Indian batters under constant pressure. Dharnidharka was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 3 crucial wickets for her side. The lack of partnerships at the top of the order meant that seven Indian batters failed to reach double figures, leaving the team in a precarious position early in the match.

Middle Order Resistance by Anushka Sharma

Amidst the falling wickets, Anushka Sharma emerged as the lone warrior for the Indian side, while she played a composed innings of 47 runs, anchoring the middle order and ensuring the team played out their full quota of overs. Towards the end of the innings, Tanuja Kanwar provided much-needed impetus with a quick-fire 34 runs. Their combined efforts allowed India-A to post a total of 130/9 in 20 overs, which initially seemed like a competitive score on a challenging Bangkok surface.

Esha Oza’s Masterclass in the Run Chase

The chase was dominated by UAE captain Esha Oza, who opened the innings and remained unbeaten until the end. Oza played a captain's knock, scoring 72 runs off 61 deliveries. Her innings was characterized by calculated risks and excellent strike rotation, which prevented the Indian bowlers from building any sustained pressure. 2 overs with 7 wickets to spare.

Bowling Performance and Tactical Lapses

The Indian bowling unit, spearheaded by captain Radha Yadav, struggled to find breakthroughs at critical junctures. While the spinners tried to contain the flow of runs, the UAE batters managed to find boundaries whenever the pressure mounted. Tactical lapses in field placements and a few missed opportunities in the field further aided the UAE's cause. The inability to dismiss Esha Oza proved to be the turning point, as she anchored the chase with maturity and precision, securing a historic win for the associate nation.

Context of the Upset in Asian Cricket

The Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament serves as a developmental platform for emerging talent in the region. India-A's squad features several players with Women's Premier League (WPL) experience, making this defeat particularly unexpected. This victory for the UAE highlights the narrowing gap between established cricketing nations and emerging teams in the Asian circuit. India-A will now need to win their remaining group matches convincingly to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.