Women’s Asian Games Qualifiers 2026 to Start in Kuala Lumpur on May 26: Schedule and Details

The road to the Women’s Asian Games will begin in Malaysia, with emerging Asian teams set to compete in a high-pressure T20 qualifier. The tournament will feature high-stakes women’s cricket matches from May 26 to 31 at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.

The competition will be played in the T20 format, with teams divided into two groups. Group A includes Thailand, Hong Kong China, and hosts Malaysia. Group B features Nepal, China, and Indonesia. The top two sides from each group will move into the semi-finals before the final takes place on May 31.

Thailand enter the qualifiers as one of the strongest contenders. They have regularly tested higher-ranked opposition and remain one of the most experienced teams in regional women’s cricket. Their strength was visible earlier this year in pathway competitions, including a commanding 99-run win over Malaysia in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, where they made 169/7 before restricting Malaysia to 70/8.

Hong Kong China arrive in Malaysia with perhaps the best recent form in the tournament. Earlier this year, they dominated the Lotus Cup Women’s Tri-Series in Bhutan, winning all four matches before beating Bhutan by 97 runs in the final. Natasha Miles made an unbeaten 73 off 54 balls, while Mariko Hill added 65 before Hong Kong China held Bhutan to 85/7.

Their form has continued since then. In a women’s T20 tri-series in Mong Kok involving Malaysia and China, Hong Kong defeated Malaysia twice. Those wins included an 88-run victory after bowling Malaysia out for 46 and another 28-run success in the final.

Malaysia will hope that home conditions at Bayuemas Oval can work in their favour. The hosts have shown moments of promise, including a recent 26-run win over China, but their results have lacked consistency. Their familiarity with local pitches could become an important factor.

Group B also brings plenty of interest. Nepal continue to progress steadily in Associate women’s cricket and remain one of the fastest-improving teams in the region. Earlier this year, Nepal played in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers but had a difficult campaign, finishing with only one win from four matches. They will now be aiming to recover form in Kuala Lumpur.

China will look to build on useful tournament experience gained in recent seasons, while Indonesia arrive hoping to produce a breakthrough performance on a bigger regional platform.

Each team will play every other side in its group once before the top two advance to the knockout stage. The qualifiers also come shortly before another major regional tournament, with several teams expected to play in the ACC Women’s Premier Cup later in June. Momentum gained in Kuala Lumpur could therefore be valuable beyond qualification alone.

The event also underlines the continued growth of women’s cricket across Asia, with more countries investing in pathways, domestic structures, and international opportunities.

Asian Games Women’s T20I Qualifier 2026 Full Schedule

The Asian Games Women’s T20I Qualifier 2026 schedule includes all fixtures, dates, timings, and venues for the tournament.

Group Stage — May 25 & 26, 2026

Group Stage — May 28, 2026

Knockout Stage

Team Squads for Asian Games Women’s T20I Qualifier 2026

Malaysia Women

Elsa Hunter, Mas Elysa, Nazatul Hidayah Husna, Ainna Hamizah Hashim, Amalin Sorfina, Mahirah Izzati Ismail, Nur Izzatul Syafiqa, Suabika, Aina Najwa, Wan Julia, Aisya Eleesa, Marsya, Nazwah, Nur Dania Syuhada

Nepal Women

Indu Barma (C), Puja Mahato, Suman Bist, Rachana Chaudhary, Rubina Chhetry, Kabita Joshi, Anu Kadayat, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Rubi Poddar, Bindu Rawal, Riya Sharma, Roma Thapa, Manisha Upadhayay

Thailand Women

Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Nannaphat Chaihan, Naruemol Chaiwai, Natthakan Chantham, Rosenan Kanoh, Chanida Sutthiruang, Nattaya Boochatham, Phannita Maya, Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Suwanan Khiaoto, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Suleeporn Laomi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Thipatcha Putthawong

Qatar Women

Aysha (C), Christeena Jacob, Shahreen Bahadur, Amna Abdulaziz, Devanandha Kavinisseri, Maria Jacob, Roheed Akhtar, Sabeeja Panayan, Rizpha Bano Emmanuel, Angeline Mare, Hiral Agarwal, Khadija Imtiaz, Sarrinah Ahmed, Sudha Thapa

Bayuemas Oval and YSD-UKM Cricket Oval Venues

The Asian Games Women’s T20I Qualifier 2026 will be played at Bayuemas Oval and YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Malaysia. Both venues will stage important matches during the competition.

Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur

Bayuemas Oval is the main venue for the tournament and will host most matches, including all knockout fixtures.

The ground is a well-established Associate cricket venue in Pandamaran, Klang, KL. It is known for being batting-friendly, while high humidity can help seam movement early in the day.

The venue has previously hosted ACC events, men’s T20 Asia Qualifiers, and women’s bilateral series.

YSD-UKM Cricket Oval, Bangi

YSD-UKM Cricket Oval is located at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi and will host selected group-stage fixtures.

It is a modern, compact ground suited to T20 cricket and was previously used for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier A 2024.

Both venues are located within Greater Kuala Lumpur and are accessible by road. Tropical conditions are expected during the tournament window, with temperatures around 32°C and a moderate chance of afternoon thunderstorms.