ICC Women Emerging Nations Trophy (Papua New Guinea) 2025/26

The ICC Women's Emerging Nations Trophy is a global cricket tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Launched in 2025, the competition forms part of the ICC’s three-tier high-performance development pathway for women. It sits directly above the ICC Women's T20I Challenge Trophy and below events featuring Full Member nations.

The inaugural edition took place in Bangkok, Thailand, from 20 to 30 November 2025. Eight teams participated in a single round-robin league, with each side playing seven matches. Winners were determined by final standings, using Net Run Rate to break ties. Thailand Women claimed the first title, finishing level on points with Scotland, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates but prevailing on net run rate. The UAE finished as runners-up.

For the 2026 edition, the tournament expands to ten teams. This includes five Full Member nations: Bangladesh, Ireland, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Five Associate members also return: the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates. The inclusion of Full Members marks a significant shift from the inaugural lineup, which featured only Associate nations.

The 2026 format is expected to maintain a round-robin structure. Specific details regarding potential group stages or play-offs for the expanded field remain unclear in initial reports. Participation is based on static ICC rankings and regional qualification performance rather than results within the tournament itself. There is no formal promotion or relegation system between the Emerging Nations Trophy and the Challenge Trophy. The event targets emerging cricketing nations for development, providing a structured pathway for Associate nations to compete against higher-ranked teams. This distinguishes it from other ICC competitions such as the Women's T20 World Cup or the Women's Championship.