# 2026 Women's Emerging Nations Trophy: Schedule, Format, and Squads Ten nations compete in the T20I tournament held in Ajman this November. - **Source:** [Wisden](https://www.wisden.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-10 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/a8c4c297-7d40-4d1b-a379-4c827dc09517 ## Tournament Overview and Venue The 2026 Women's Emerging Nations Trophy features ten teams competing in a T20I format from November 12 to 25. Matches will take place across two specific venues in Ajman: the Seven Districts Ground and the Karwan Cricket Ground. This edition marks an expansion from the previous eight-team structure to accommodate more participants. ## Defending Champion Thailand's Status Thailand enters the tournament as the defending champion after securing their first ICC trophy in the inaugural edition. Their previous victory was determined by a superior net run rate after four teams finished the group stage with equal points. They are placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Bangladesh, Netherlands, and Zimbabwe. ## New Tournament Format Explained With ten teams participating, the tournament utilizes a new format divided into two groups of five. Each team plays within their group, and the top three sides advance to the Super Six stage. In this phase, qualifiers face the three teams from the opposing group before the top two sides reach the final. ## Opening Day Match Schedule The tournament begins on November 12 with four matches. Morning fixtures feature Sri Lanka against Ireland at Karwan Sports Club and Papua New Guinea versus Scotland at Seven Districts. Afternoon sessions include Thailand playing the Netherlands, while Pakistan faces Bangladesh. Morning games start at 9:00 AM local time, with afternoon matches at 1:15 PM. ## Group A and B Composition Group A consists of Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea, and the UAE. Group B includes Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe. These teams will compete in a round-robin format during the group stage to determine which six nations progress to the critical Super Six round starting November 20. ## Key Squad Announcements Participating nations have confirmed their squads, featuring experienced captains like Gaby Lewis for Ireland and Kathryn Bryce for Scotland. Other notable leaders include Esha Oza for the UAE and Naruemol Chaiwai for Thailand. These rosters reflect a mix of established international players and emerging talent aiming to make an impact on the global stage. ## Super Six and Final Details The Super Six stage runs from November 20 to November 23, featuring intense cross-group matchups to decide the finalists. The tournament culminates in the final match on November 25, hosted at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground. This structure ensures that only the most consistent teams reach the championship decider after rigorous competition. ## Strategic Importance for Cricket This tournament serves as a vital platform for emerging nations to gain high-level T20I experience. By including five ICC full members alongside developing sides, the event fosters competitive growth and provides essential match practice. The expansion to ten teams highlights the increasing depth and global interest in women's international cricket development. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.wisden.com/cricket-news/womens-emerging-nations-trophy-2026-all-you-need-to-know — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._