The 2024 ICC Womens T20 World Cup, the ninth edition of the tournament, is set to kick off on October 3, 2024, and will run until October 20, 2024. Initially scheduled to be hosted in Bangladesh, the tournament was relocated to the United Arab Emirates due to political unrest in Bangladesh, although the Bangladesh Cricket Board retains the hosting rights.
Tournament Format and Participants
The tournament will feature 10 national womens cricket teams, divided into two groups. Group A consists of Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, while Group B includes South Africa, England, West Indies, Bangladesh, and Scotland. Each team will play four group matches, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semifinals scheduled for October 17 and 18. The final match will be held in Dubai on October 20.
Qualification Process
The teams qualified through various means: Bangladesh qualified as the original hosts, the top six teams from the 2023 ICC Womens T20 World Cup (excluding the hosts) automatically qualified, Pakistan qualified based on the ICC Womens T20I Team Rankings as of February 27, 2023, and Scotland and Sri Lanka earned their spots through the 2024 ICC Womens T20 World Cup Qualifier.
Key Matches and Schedule
The tournament begins with Bangladesh facing Scotland on October 3 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, followed by Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka in the same venue. Other notable matches include India vs. New Zealand on October 4, Australia vs. Sri Lanka on October 5, and India vs. Pakistan on October 6. The semifinals will be played on October 17 and 18, with the final match taking place in Dubai on October 20.
Defending Champions and Contenders
Australia, the defending champions, are seeking their fourth consecutive T20 World Cup title. Captain Alyssa Healy emphasized that the team is not there to defend the title but to win it, highlighting the competitive nature of the tournament. Australia faces a challenging group stage with matches against India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, is another strong contender, aiming to secure their first ICC World Cup title after being runners-up in previous tournaments. India has consistently reached the semifinals of the last three ICC Womens T20 World Cups and is ranked third in the world.
Captains' Day and Pre-Tournament Activities
The tournament kicked off with a Captains' Day event in Dubai, where all ten team captains gathered to mark the beginning of the tournament. The event included a special panel session hosted by Melanie Jones, where captains shared insights into their strategies and aspirations. The captains also participated in a unique photo shoot against the backdrop of the Dubai Frame.
Venue and Spectator Information
The matches will be held in two host cities: Dubai and Sharjah. Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums. The tournament is expected to attract a significant number of spectators, particularly in Sharjah, where there is a large Bangladeshi community.
For those unable to attend in person, the matches will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network, and live streaming will be available on Disney+ Hotstar.
