Sri Lanka have been drawn alongside Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and the United Arab Emirates for the 2026 Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy, which will take place in Ajman from November 12 to 25.
The International Cricket Council announced the tournament fixtures and group allocations on October 28.
Ten teams will participate in the second edition of the competition, an increase from eight in the inaugural tournament.
Sri Lanka are one of five ICC Full Member nations taking part.
Sri Lanka placed in Group A
The tournament will be contested by two groups containing five teams each.
Sri Lanka’s Group A opponents are Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and hosts UAE.
Group B contains Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands and Zimbabwe.
The draw places Sri Lanka alongside Ireland, another ICC Full Member, as well as three teams from the wider international women’s cricket structure.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Pakistan |
| Ireland | Bangladesh |
| Scotland | Thailand |
| Papua New Guinea | Netherlands |
| United Arab Emirates | Zimbabwe |
Tournament expands by 25%
The inaugural edition featured eight participating teams.
The second edition will involve ten.
That represents an increase of two teams, equivalent to 25% of the previous field.
The expanded competition brings together five Full Members and five other national sides.
The ICC has scheduled the tournament over 14 calendar days, beginning on November 12 and ending on November 25.
All matches will take place in Ajman in the United Arab Emirates.
10 teams: Participating nations.
2 groups: Five teams in each.
25%: Increase in participating teams compared with the inaugural edition.
12–25 November: Tournament dates.
Ajman: Host location.
Competition provides international fixtures
The tournament brings together teams from different levels of international women’s cricket.
For Sri Lanka, the group allocation creates fixtures against opponents from Europe, Asia and the Pacific.
Ireland and Scotland provide European opposition, while Papua New Guinea represent the Pacific region.
The United Arab Emirates will compete as the host nation.
Pakistan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe are among the Full Members competing in the other group.
The competition is intended to provide further international playing opportunities for women’s teams.
Sri Lanka’s qualification position remains open
The ICC announcement confirms Sri Lanka’s participation and group allocation.
The team must still compete in the tournament to determine its final position.
No results from the November competition have been recorded because the tournament has yet to begin.
Sri Lanka’s performances against Ireland, Scotland, Papua New Guinea and UAE will determine its progress through the competition.
The full fixture schedule has been released by the ICC.
The tournament will conclude on November 25.
