UAE win Asia Qualifier to book ICC U19 Women’s T20WC 2027 spot
UAE beat Malaysia in a dramatic final to secure qualification for the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027.
UAE secured their spot for next year’s ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup with a thriller one run victory against Malaysia in the final of the Asia Qualifier.
UAE, who were unbeaten in the campaign, claimed the sole qualification spot from the eight-team Asia Qualifier.
UAE displayed commanding performances throughout the competition as they became one of the 16 teams that will take part in the global event in 2027 to be co-hosted by Nepal and Bangladesh.
Al Maseera of United Arab Emirates bats during the ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy 2025 match between Thailand and United Arab Emirates at Terdthai Cricket Ground || Getty Images
They opened their campaign with a 37-run victory over Hong Kong China via the DLS method in a rain-affected encounter and then went on to beat Malaysia by 39 runs and Qatar by 81 runs in the league stage. A comprehensive 73-run win over Bhutan in the semi-finals took them to the final where they held their nerve in a nail-biter to defeat Malaysia.
Al Maseera Jahangir from UAE won the Player of the Match award in the final for her all-round performance. She top-scored with 31 from 34 balls and then delivered a brilliant spell with ball, picking two for 12 in four overs.
UAE captain Mehak Thakur was delighted after the team's qualification to the marquee event next.
“I’m so pleased by how well our team dealt with the pressure in this final which led to our win", she said.
"It’s so exciting to qualify for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, we are excited to get there and hopefully play as convincingly as we did during this tournament.”