United Arab Emirates (UAE) captain Esha Oza led her side to a thumping seven-wicket win over India A in their Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars 2026 opener at the Terdthai Cricket Ground in Thailand on Friday.

Oza remained unbeaten on 72 off 61 balls as UAE chased down 131 with four balls to spare.

After choosing to bat, the Radha Yadav-led India A lost wickets at regular intervals, with pacer Samaira Dharnidharka doing the early damage. She ripped through the top order inside the PowerPlay, picking up three wickets.

Anushka Sharma, who showed promise in the recently concluded Women’s Premier League with the Gujarat Giants, brought stability with a composed 47 off 45 balls. At the end, Tanuja Kanwer’s brisk 34 off 25 helped India A reach 130 for nine.

In the chase, Oza and Theertha Satish added 40 for the first wicket before the latter was dismissed by leg-spinner Prema Rawat in the eighth over. Oza then stitched a decisive 71-run stand with Dharnidharka to keep UAE in control.

With four needed in the last over, Radha brought herself on and briefly sparked hope by removing Rinitha Rajith off the first ball. But Heena Hotchandani struck a boundary off the next delivery to seal the win and set off celebrations in the UAE camp.

UAE next faces Nepal on February 15, while India A plays Pakistan A later that day.

Published on Feb 13, 2026