UAE Secures Women’s ODI Status for the 2025–2029 ICC Cycle

The international landscape of women’s cricket is witnessing a new chapter as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has officially secured One Day International (ODI) status for the 2025–2029 cycle. This significant update, effective from May 12, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for UAE women’s cricket, as they replace the United States of America (USA) among the 16 teams recognized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) with ODI status.

This achievement solidifies the UAE’s growing stature in the sport and highlights the progress of associate nations in the global cricket arena.

UAE’s Rise to ODI Status

The UAE earned this honor by being the next highest-ranked associate member in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, currently positioned at 16th. Their consistent performance and strategic development have paved the way for inclusion among other elite teams holding ODI status.

The updated list of ODI-status teams now features five associate nations: Thailand, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea (PNG), Scotland, and the UAE. This expansion underscores the ICC’s commitment to promoting the growth of women’s cricket worldwide.

USA’s Current Performance in Zimbabwe

While the UAE celebrates its new standing, the USA women’s cricket team is actively participating in a tour of Zimbabwe. Although they lost the T20I series 2-1, the USA began the ODI series with an impressive seven-wicket victory. The final match of the tour is scheduled for today and holds critical importance for the team’s future in international competitions.

Criteria for Retaining ODI Status

To either gain or maintain ODI status, associate teams must compete in at least eight ODIs during a three to four-year span. Teams like Thailand and Scotland secured their spots by participating in the recent ICC Women’s ODI World Cup Qualifiers held in Pakistan.

Scotland’s performance was particularly commendable. They finished fourth, overcoming higher-ranked teams such as the West Indies and Thailand. In contrast, Thailand struggled during the qualifiers, ending the tournament at the bottom of the rankings.

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Netherlands managed to retain their ODI status based solely on their T20I rankings without participating in the qualifiers.

Broader Impact on Women’s Cricket

Pakistan and Bangladesh have already qualified for the upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup scheduled to be hosted in India. The competition for global rankings remains fierce, with Australia holding the top spot with 299 points, closely followed by England with 279 points.

The addition of UAE to the roster of ODI-status teams reflects a positive trajectory for women’s cricket development in the Middle East and South Asia. It opens up more opportunities for competitive fixtures and further strengthens the sport’s international presence.

For more information on women’s cricket rankings and schedules, you can visit the ICC official website.