Asia Games Qualifiers 2026

Six teams have gathered at Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur battling it out to progress to the Asia Games 2026. They have been divided into two pools and the top four teams will play semi finals. Of significance, both teams to play in the final will go to the Asia Games, but the winner in the play-off for third place will also go, meaning the top three teams will progress.

Let’s cast an eye over each of the teams and access their respective chances.

Malaysia

Malaysia are the home team so can be confident in the conditions and also some local support. That said, the team has been severely underperforming over the last 18 months, not through lack of talent, for they have a good player roster. Heading into this tournament their recent record has been poor, most notably with the batting.

Earlier this month they won just a single game in the Hong Kong tri-series and more recently lost two matches out of two against Indonesia and again against Nepal. That’s just one win from their last nine games. Can they lift sufficiently enough against the other five teams in this tournament to finish in the top three?

Key players that must perform are key batters Elsa Hunter and Ainna Hamizah Hashim at the top of the order and then good support from Mas Elysa and Mahirah Izzati down the order. Bowling wise the key figures are Aisya Eleesa, Winifred Duraisingam, Mahirah Izzati and again, Mas Elysa.

For Malaysia to have any chance, those players must perform at key moments. The question is, will it be enough to secure a top three spot? It’s doubtful.

Squad:

Ainna Hamizah Hashim, Elsa Hunter, Mahirah Izzati Ismail, Mas Elysa (c), Nur Dania Syuhada, Irdina Beh Nabil, Nur Arianna Natsya, Dhanusri Muhunan, Aina Najwa (wk), Nur Qalysha, Aisya Eleesa, Winifred Duraisingam

Hong Kong

A very good allround batting and bowling unit with great depth and must considered strongly for the semi finals. A very good, unbeaten performance at the Hong Kong tri-series earlier this month.

A well oiled batting machine with a solid top order – indeed, the for were about the only ones to get a hit in that tri-series. Skipper Natasha Miles is in excellent form with the bat.

Good pace options with Maryam Bibi and Alison Siu, while spin bowler and former skipper Kary Chan was the player of the tournament in the tri-series. Highly ranked for a top four finish here.

Squad: 

Natasha Miles (c), Maryam Bibi, Kary Chan, Emma Lai, Alison Siu, Shanzeen Shahzad, Charlotte Chan, Shing Chan, Hiu Ying Cheung (wk), Hailey Wong, Amanda Cheung

China

China will not make the semis, but this is a team on the rise and enjoyable to watch in the field. If you get you fielding right the other disciplines are sure to follow and that is the trajectory of this team.

Despite finishing last in the Hong Kong tri-series, China actually performed very well and only just missed the finals by net run rate. They were particularly good in the field, ably led by captain Mingyue Zhu who was responsible for a number of runouts, mostly from direct hits. The wicket keeper, Jiang Chunquin, was also a standout in the field for China.

Mingyue Zhu leads from the front with the bat, although support around her is minimal. That will come over time. With the ball, one player to watch will be fast bowler, Ma Ruike who had some inspired spells through the tri-series.

Squad:

Jiaping Li, Mingyue Zhu (c), Chen Xinyu, Cai Yuzhi, Hong Yali, Wei Haiting, Gong Yuting, Ma Ruike, Wang Huiying, Xie Wenyan, Zhao Yihan, Jiang Chunquin, Feng Qian

Nepal 

This is a team with a tremendous amount of talent right across the board, and after a couple of lean years now seem to be back to their best. You can book them in for a spot in the semis.

What is pleasing is the blend of youth and experience. You have former skipper Rubina Chhetri still performing with the ball, along with the evergreen Sita Rana Magar. Skipper Indu Barma contributes with both bat and ball as does vice-captain Puja Mahato. Puja is an interesting one, and a nod to the future. The former U19 skipper performs with either bat or ball in most games and is being groomed as the next captain.

Solid recent performances at the top of the order from Samjhana Khadka gets the team off to a good start on most occasions. As mentioned, book this team for a spot in the sem finals.

Squad: 

Indu Barma (c), Puja Mahato (vc), Rubina Chhetri, Kabita Joshi, Anu Kadayat, Seemana KC, Samjhana Khadka, Kabita Kunwar, Sony Pakhrin, Rubi Poddar (wk), Sita Rana Magar, Bindu Rawal, Riya Sharma, Manisha Upadhy

Indonesia

Indonesia are another team likely to march straight into the semis and likely to clinch one of the three spots on offer.

Squad:

Sang Maypriani, Ni Putu Ayu Nanda Sakarini, Ni Kadek Fitria Rada Rani, Ni Made Putri Suwandewi, Kadek Winda Prastini (c), Rahmawati Pangestuti, Desi Wulandari, Ni Ariani, Ni Luh Dewi, Ni Putri, Dara Paramitha, Lie Qiao, Kisi Kasse, Derni Bangi

Thailand

Put simply, Thailand will not only make the semis, they will win this tournament. They are head and shoulders the best team of the six and honestly, it is surprising to see them needing to qualify. They will do this in a canter.

Well led by Naruemol Chaiwai, a skipper with vast experience and a clever tactician at that. Thailand have an excellent fielding unit and Chaiwai marshals her troops better than most teams.

The batting is very solid with Natthakan Chantham and Nannapat Koncharoenkai the standouts, along with the skipper, but there’s some heavy hitting down the order with the likes of Phannita Maya and Chanida Sutthiruang.

A strong and versatile bowling squad with Thipatcha Putthawong one of the best left-arm slow bowlers in the world. She is battling with Deepti Sharma and Megan Schutt for the most wicket in this format. She’ll take plenty in this tournament, but will be ably backed by Onnicha Kamchomphu, Suleeporn Laomi and Phannita Maya.

As said, an excellent fielding unit with one of the best keepers in the game, Nannapat Koncharoenkai. You’ll see this team at the Asia Games.

Squad:

Naruemol Chaiwai (c), Nannaphat Chaihan, Natthakan Chantham, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Nannapat Koncharoenkai (wk), Suleeporn Laomi, Phannita Maya, Chayanisa Phengpaen, Thipatcha Putthawong, Arrikan Phuengkho, Chanida Sutthiruang, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Koranit Suwanchonrathi

Fixtures

26th May: 

• Hong Kong v Thailand Thailand by 89 runs
• China v Indonesia China by 3 wickets

27th May

• Malaysia v Thailand
• China v Nepal

28th May

• Malaysia v Hong Kong
• Indonesia v Nepal

30th May

• 1st semi final
• 2nd semi final

31st May

• 3rd place play-off
• Final