The group stage of the Women's Asia Cup 2026 has concluded, with the four powerhouses - India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh sealing their place in the semi-finals. India and Sri Lanka sealed their place going unbeaten in their group, while Pakistan and Bangladesh were able to make their way out of the groups without much hassle despite the defeat.
All the teams have been carried to the semis on the back of dominant performances with the ball, taking key wickets on a slightly abrasive surface
at the Dubai International Stadium. As the group stages have come to a close, we take a look at the three highest wicket-takers of the tournament so far.
Here are top 3 wicket-takers of Women's Asia Cup 2026 after group stage:
3. N Shree Charani - 7 wickets
India's N Shree Charani has been a key strike bowler for the side in the format in the recent past and is the tournament's third-highest wicket-taker, taking seven wickets in three games. She has the same number of wickets as Bangladesh seamer Marufa Akhter and Pakistan left-arm spinner Nashra Sandhu, but stands ahead of the pair with a better economy rate, a miserly 3.19.
Shree Charani has taken wickets in all of India's matches in the group stages, taking figures of 2 for 10 and 2 for 16 against Thailand and Hong Kong, before following it up with figures of 3 for 7 in the marquee clash against Pakistan, where they were bowled out for just 55.
2. Deepti Sharma - 8 wickets
India's leading wicket-taker in the format has once again led from the front for the side. Deepti Sharma's eight wickets have put her in second place in the wickets tally for the Asia Cup, functioning as the team's senior bowler with her off-spin.
Deepti started the Asia Cup with 3 wickets without giving up a run against Thailand, before taking figures of 3 for 7 against Hong Kong and 2 for 5 against Pakistan. Her average and economy rate for the tournament currently read 1.75 and 1.90, respectively.
1. Chamari Athapaththu - 9 wickets
Chamari Athapaththu has been a trailblazer for Sri Lanka with bat in hand, but it is with the ball that she has stood out during this tournament. She leads the wickets tally with nine scalps in three matches. She took a wicket apiece against the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh, sandwiched around a spectacular performance against Indonesia, where she took figures of 7 for 5, which included a hat-trick.
With Sri Lanka entering the tournament as defending champions, Athapaththu will be hopeful that she can put up stunning performances to help her team defend the title successfully.
