Pakistan is the best side in Asia Cup to lift the trophy: Wahab Riaz after loss vs India

Pakistan women’s cricket team mentor Wahab Riaz has called his side the best team in the ongoing Asia Cup 2026, following their crushing defeat against arch-rivals India. The Women in Green were hammered by seven wickets after being bundled out for just 55 in 18.1 overs, their lowest score in women’s T20Is.

Shawaal Zulfiqar (14 off 14) and Muneeba Ali (13 off 15) were the only two players with double-digit scores for their team, as Shree Charani (3/7) and Prema Rawat (3/9) ran through their batting lineup. Despite that, Wahab Riaz feels Pakistan is the best team in the Women's Asia Cup to lift the trophy.

“I still believe Pakistan is the best side in this Asia Cup to lift the trophy because the conditions really suit us. Yes, we have lost badly. But again, we have a chance that we can come into the semifinals,” said Riaz in the post-match press conference.

Riaz also called his players skilful and assured that they won’t commit the same mistakes in the next match.

“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.

Pakistan's semi-final qualification scenario

Pakistan are ranked second in Group A with two points from as many matches, having a net run rate of -0.569. They have their last fixture against Hong Kong China on September 7. The Fatima Sana-led side needs to win the match or ensure that they maintain a better run rate than Hong Kong China and Thailand to progress into the semi-finals of the tournament.

Meanwhile, India have already sealed their berth in the semi-final, having won all three of their Group A fixtures.