Pakistan remain the best side to lift the Women’s Asia Cup, according to team mentor Wahab Riaz, despite suffering a crushing defeat against India in their league-stage clash in Dubai on Saturday. Pakistan were bowled out for a record-low T20I score of 55 before India comfortably chased down the 56-run target, but Riaz remains confident that his team can bounce back and challenge for the trophy.
The defeat has put Pakistan under pressure in the group stage, with the team sitting on just two points. India, meanwhile, comfortably chased the 56-run target to continue their winning run in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 and retain the top spot in Group A.
India restrict Pakistan to record-low 55
Playing their 200th T20I, Pakistan struggled to build any momentum against India's spin-heavy bowling attack. The Indian bowlers applied pressure throughout the innings and dismissed Pakistan for just 55, their record-low T20I total.
Pakistan captain Fatima Sana provided some resistance with the ball, claiming three early wickets for 17 runs. However, her efforts could not prevent India from completing a comfortable chase.
India reached the 56-run target to register another win in the tournament and strengthen their position at the top of Group A.
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Wahab Riaz says Pakistan are still Asia Cup favourites
Despite the emphatic loss, Riaz backed Pakistan to bounce back in their remaining matches. He said the players had the ability to perform but needed to trust themselves.
“I believe that all the players in our team are very skilful, and they just need to trust themselves. Our next match is against Hong Kong. We will go back and discuss what we did wrong against India. We won’t commit the same mistakes,” Riaz told reporters after the match.
The Pakistan mentor also remained bullish about his team's chances of winning the tournament.
“I still believe Pakistan is the best side in this Asia Cup to lift the trophy because the conditions really suit us,” he said.
Sana Mir questions Pakistan team changes
Pakistan's squad selection has also come under scrutiny during the Women’s Asia Cup. Former captain Sana Mir criticised the team management for making wholesale changes, with seven players left out of the squad.
Riaz, however, defended the decision and said the changes were made with the future in mind. He argued that the players who had previously represented Pakistan had already featured in several major tournaments but had not produced the desired results.
“Sana Mir has her own opinion. I have nothing to do with that opinion. We have made changes with the future in mind,” Riaz said.
“The players who were playing before have played a lot of World Cups and Asia Cups but we weren’t getting the results. So it was time to go with new faces and bring new girls into the mix to build the team for the upcoming tournaments,” he added.
Wahab Riaz defends decision to drop seven players
Riaz further insisted that the selection changes should be viewed in the context of the team's performances rather than focusing on the players who were omitted.
“It is not about who we left behind. We have to look at the reality. The girls who were left out weren’t performing at all. I think we did the right move by bringing new girls into the mix,” he said.
The changes, according to Riaz, are part of an effort to develop a squad capable of competing in upcoming tournaments.
Pakistan will now turn their attention to Hong Kong, whom they face on Monday. With only two points, the team are on the brink of a group-stage exit and need to respond quickly after their disappointing performance against India.
Inputs from agencies
