Pakistan Best Team in Women’s Asia Cup”: Coach Wahab Riaz After 55-All Out Show Against India

Pakistan women’s team mentor Wahab Riaz made a bold claim after his side’s humiliating defeat to India in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, insisting that Pakistan remain the best team in the tournament despite being bowled out for just 55.

India thrashed Pakistan by seven wickets at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Pakistan, who chose to bat first, collapsed to their lowest-ever total in women’s T20Is — 55 all out in 18.1 overs. India then chased down the modest target of 56 in just 8.4 overs, finishing at 57 for 3 with 68 balls to spare.

Indian spinners dominated the contest. Shree Charani returned figures of 3/7, Prema Rawat took 3/9, while Deepti Sharma claimed 2/5. Only openers Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar managed double-digit scores for Pakistan; the rest of the batting line-up failed to fire as the side lost 10 wickets for just 28 runs after a solid start of 27 without loss.

Despite the one-sided result, Riaz remained defiant in the post-match press conference. “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 will try not to commit the same mistakes. I still believe Pakistan is the best side in this Asia Cup to lift the trophy because the conditions really suit us,” he said.

The defeat leaves Pakistan needing a win over Hong Kong, China in their final group-stage match to keep their semi-final hopes alive. India, meanwhile, topped Group A with a perfect record and advanced to the last four.

Riaz’s confident assessment, coming immediately after one of Pakistan’s most comprehensive losses in the format, has drawn widespread attention and mixed reactions.