The United Arab Emirates (UAE) women’s cricket team has officially been awarded One Day International (ODI) status for the upcoming 2025–2029 ICC cycle, replacing the USA, which failed to retain its position.
According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), five associate member nations will hold ODI status for the next cycle: Thailand, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, and the UAE. The announcement confirms these teams’ eligibility to compete in official 50-over matches over the next five years.
With this update, a total of 16 women’s teams globally now hold official status to participate in the 50-over format. Among the newcomers, Thailand and Scotland earned their status after participating in the Women’s Cricket World Cup 2026 Qualifiers held in Pakistan.
The UAE women’s side outperformed the USA in the latest T20I team rankings, climbing to the 16th spot, and was subsequently awarded ODI status during the ICC’s annual review.
As per ICC regulations, all teams holding ODI status must play at least eight ODI matches within each three-to-four-year cycle to either gain or retain their status.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for the development of women’s cricket in the UAE and opens doors for increased international exposure and competition.
