The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, hosted by Bangladesh from October 3 to October 20, 2024, promises an exciting tournament with the world’s top cricketing nations battling for the ultimate prize in T20 cricket. This year’s event marks the 9th edition of the prestigious tournament, building on the momentum of past World Cups and aiming to expand the popularity and reach of women’s cricket worldwide.
DISCLAIMER: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has been shifted to UAE, given the political outburst in Bangladesh.
Tournament Format
The women’s cricket tournament will feature 10 teams, divided into two groups, and over 23 matches will be played across two venues: Dubai International Cricket Stadium and the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in UAE. The group stage will be followed by the semi-finals in Sharjah and Dubai respectively. The final will be played in Dubai. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-finals.
Group A:
- Australia (Defending Champions)
- India
- New Zealand
- Pakistan
- Qualifier 1
Group B:
- Bangladesh (Hosts)
- England
- South Africa
- West Indies
- Qualifier 2
For a full list of fixtures, refer to the ICC Women’s World Cup T20 schedule below:
Date |
Fixture |
Venue |
Time (Local) |
| Thu, 03 Oct ’24
|
|
Sharjah
Sharjah |
3:30 PM |
| Fri, 04 Oct ’24 |
|
Dubai
Dubai |
3:30 PM |
| Sat, 05 Oct ’24 |
|
Sharjah
Sharjah |
3:30 PM
7:30 PM |
| Sun, 06 Oct ’24 |
|
Dubai
Dubai |
3: 30 PM
7:30 PM |
| Mon, 07 Oct ’24 | England W vs South Africa W | Sharjah | 7: 30 PM |
| Tue, 08 Oct ’24 | Australia W vs New Zealand W | Sharjah | 7: 30 PM |
| Wed, 09 Oct ’24 |
|
Dubai
Dubai |
3:30 PM
7:30 PM |
| Thu, 10 Oct ’24 | Bangladesh W vs West Indies W | Sharjah | 7:30 PM |
| Fri, 11 Oct ’24 | Australia W vs Pakistan W | Dubai | 7:30 PM |
| Sat, 12 Oct ’24 |
|
Sharjah
Dubai |
3:30 PM
7:30 PM |
| Sun, 13 Oct ’24 |
|
Sharjah
Sharjah |
3:30 PM
7:30 PM |
| Mon, 14 Oct ’24 | New Zealand W vs Pakistan W | Dubai | 7:30 PM |
| Tue, 15 Oct ’24 | England W vs West Indies W | Dubai | 7:30 PM |
| Thu, 17 Oct ’24 | Semi Final 1 | Dubai | 7:30 PM |
| Fri, 18 Oct ’24 | Semi Final 2 | Sharjah | 7:30 PM |
| Sun, 20 Oct ’24 | Final | Dubai | 7:30 PM |
Teams and Players to Watch
Australia (Favorites)
Australia remains the overwhelming favorite to win the 2024 T20 World Cup, having dominated the tournament since its inception. As the six-time champions and the current titleholders, they have a wealth of talent in their squad. With players like Meg Lanning (captain), Alyssa Healy, and Ellyse Perry, Australia boasts a balanced and experienced lineup. Their consistency in both batting and bowling, along with the strong leadership of Lanning, makes them the team to beat.
India
India has steadily risen to prominence in women’s cricket and will enter the 2024 tournament with high expectations. Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the team boasts several match-winners, including Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma. India’s powerful batting lineup and improving bowling attack make them strong contenders. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on October 6 in Dubai is set to be a highlight of the group stage.
England
England has always been a strong team in women’s cricket and will be looking to win their second T20 World Cup title. With Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Danni Wyatt in their ranks, England has a balanced women’s cricket squad with both explosive batting and a solid bowling unit. Their match against South Africa on the tournament’s opening day (October 3) will set the tone for their World Cup campaign.
South Africa
South Africa, the 2023 runners-up, has shown remarkable improvement in recent years. Led by Sune Luus, they have a well-rounded team with players like Marizanne Kapp, and Laura Wolvaardt. South Africa will be eager to go one step further this time, and their opening match against England will be crucial in setting their tournament ambitions.
New Zealand
New Zealand is another team with a strong tradition in women’s cricket. With experienced players like Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr, the Kiwis have the talent to upset the favorites. Their match against Australia on October 11 is expected to be a tough contest, as both teams have historically strong rivalries.
West Indies
The 2016 champions, West Indies, are always a dangerous team in T20 cricket due to their flair and explosiveness. Players like Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor will need to be at their best to steer the Windies back into contention after some inconsistent performances in recent years.
Favorites to Win the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
1. Australia
Australia is the clear favorite, given their rich history in the tournament and recent successes. Their strength lies in their consistency, star players, and ability to perform under pressure. They have a well-balanced women’s cricket squad and the experience to navigate through the tournament’s challenging moments.
2. India
India has the potential to challenge Australia, especially with their strong batting lineup and key players like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur. If their bowling can rise to the occasion, India could break their World Cup drought.
3. England
With their all-round strength, England is also one of the top contenders in T20 cricket. They have a mix of experienced players and young talents like Alice Capsey who can deliver match-winning performances.
Key Matches to Watch
- October 3: Bangladesh W vs Scotland W – The host nation’s first match in Sharjah.
- October 4: Australia W vs Sri Lanka W– The defending champions will want to start their campaign right at Sharjah.
- October 6: India vs Pakistan – One of the biggest arch-rivalries across all cricket formats especially T20 cricket and ODIs.
- October 11: Australia vs New Zealand – Traditional cricketing rivals clash.
- October 13: India vs Australia – A potential preview of the final.
T20 World Cup Warm-up Matches
The excitement starts early with 10 warm-up matches from September 27 to October 1, 2024. These matches will allow teams to fine-tune their strategies and test their players before the tournament begins.
Conclusion
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will not only be a festival of top-quality cricket but also a significant event in further promoting women’s cricket on a global scale. With Australia entering as the favorites, teams like India, England, and South Africa will be eager to claim the title, making this edition highly competitive and exciting.
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As fans around the world can expect fierce competition, unforgettable moments, and a celebration of women’s cricket at its finest. Cricaza is here to just deliver that! Stay tuned.