UAE name Esha Oza-led 14-member squad for ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy
Synopsis
UAE have announced their 14-member squad for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy, handing new head coach Oscar Nauhaus his first major assignment. Captain Esha Oza leads a side that opens against Ireland on 13 November in Ajman, with the expanded 10-team tournament culminating in a final on 25 November.
Key Takeaways
UAE named a 14-member squad captained by Esha Oza for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy , starting 12 November 2026 in Ajman .
Theertha Satish is the designated wicketkeeper in the squad.
New head coach Oscar Nauhaus , appointed last month from Cricket Namibia , takes charge for his first major tournament.
UAE are in Group A with Sri Lanka , Ireland , Scotland , and Papua New Guinea ; they open against Ireland on 13 November .
The competition has expanded to 10 teams this edition, with the final scheduled for 25 November at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground .
Hosts UAE have named a 14-member squad captained by Esha Oza for the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy, which gets underway in Ajman on 12 November 2026. The tournament marks the first major assignment for the team's newly appointed head coach and an expanded competition featuring 10 nations.
The Squad
Theertha Satish has been named the designated wicketkeeper. The remaining spots are filled by Al Maseera Jahangir, Archara Supriya, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Janani Thirukkumaran, Mehul Kulkarni, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Simran Seth, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, and Uttara Iyer. The support staff includes manager Subha Venkataraman, strength and conditioning coach Shyla Alam, and physiotherapist Merin Saji.
New Head Coach's First Test
The tournament is a significant milestone for head coach Oscar Nauhaus, who was appointed to the role last month after Ahmed Raza stepped away to become head coach of the UAE senior men's team. Nauhaus joins from Cricket Namibia, where he most recently served as High Performance Manager, focusing on developing young players through the national pathway system.
He brings considerable international experience to the role. Nauhaus guided Namibia's U19 men's side to qualification for the 2024 ICC U19 Men's World Cup and was part of the support staff of the Namibian men's team at the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. His appointment signals UAE's intent to invest in a structured development pathway for the women's programme.
Group Stage Schedule
UAE have been placed in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, and Papua New Guinea. Group B consists of Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe. Esha Oza's side open their campaign against Ireland at the Seven Districts Sports Club on 13 November at 9 am local time.
All remaining group fixtures will be held at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground. UAE face Scotland on 15 November and Sri Lanka on 16 November, both at 1:15 pm local time, before concluding the group stage against Papua New Guinea on 18 November at 9 am.
Format and Final
The top three sides from each group advance to the Super Six stage, which runs from 20 to 23 November. The top two teams from that phase will contest the final at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground on 25 November. This edition represents a notable expansion of the competition, having grown to 10 teams from previous iterations, underlining the ICC's focus on broadening women's cricket at the emerging level.
Point of View
And Nauhaus inherits a squad with significant diaspora talent whose long-term availability for UAE cricket is never guaranteed. If this tournament produces performances rather than just participation, it could strengthen the case for sustained ICC investment in Associate women's cricket.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is captaining UAE in the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026?
Esha Oza is captaining the UAE women's side in the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy. She leads a 14-member squad announced ahead of the tournament, which begins in Ajman on 12 November 2026.
When and where does UAE begin their ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy campaign?
UAE open their campaign against Ireland on 13 November 2026 at the Seven Districts Sports Club in Ajman, with the match starting at 9 am local time. All their remaining group games are at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground.
Who is UAE women's new head coach?
Oscar Nauhaus is the new head coach of the UAE women's cricket team. He was appointed last month after Ahmed Raza moved to take charge of the UAE senior men's team, and joins from Cricket Namibia where he was High Performance Manager.
Which teams are in UAE's group at the Emerging Nations Trophy?
UAE are placed in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, Ireland, Scotland, and Papua New Guinea. Group B features Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Zimbabwe.
What is the format of the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2026?
The tournament features 10 teams split into two groups of five. The top three sides from each group advance to the Super Six stage, running from 20 to 23 November, with the top two meeting in the final on 25 November at the Karwan Sports Club Cricket Ground in Ajman.
