The stage is set for a thrilling ICC Women's T20 World Cup, kicking off on October 3rd and culminating in a nail-biting final on October 20. This year, the cricketing spotlight shines brightly on Bangladesh as they host the prestigious tournament for the second time, following their successful debut in 2014.
Building anticipation, the tournament schedule was unveiled on Sunday at a Dhaka hotel.
Prior to the official launch, a delegation of Bangladesh women cricketers along with India’s skipper, who will take part in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup-2024, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gono Bhaban. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina extended her best wishes to them for a memorable World Cup. The Prime Minister took part in a photo session with the delegation, PM's Deputy Press Secretary KM Shakhawat Moon told a news briefing.
The excitement reaches fever pitch on opening day as Bangladesh takes centre stage at the iconic Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. Their first opponent will be a team yet to be determined through qualifiers. Later that day, England, champions in 2009, will lock horns with South Africa in the same venue, promising a captivating clash.
The tournament boasts a diverse lineup of ten teams, divided into two groups to battle it out in 23 action-packed matches. Bangladesh finds themselves in Group B, alongside cricketing giants like England, South Africa, and the West Indies. Completing the group is another team waiting to emerge from the qualifiers. Cricket fans can eagerly anticipate a much-awaited clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan, scheduled for October 6th at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
The captains of the participating teams echoed the buzzing anticipation. Nigra Sultana Joty, the skipper of the Bangladesh Tigresses, expressed her team's thrill at hosting the World Cup and their unwavering determination to perform well on home turf. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur chimed in, highlighting the remarkable growth of women's cricket and promising a high-octane tournament filled with competitive matches.
Adding weight to the occasion, officials from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the ICC expressed their immense pride in hosting the event. Beyond the on-field action, they envision the tournament as a catalyst for further development of women's cricket, not only within Bangladesh but also on a global scale. ICC CEO Geoff Allardice emphasized the potential of the World Cup to inspire a new generation of fans and participants around the world.
Australia, the current champions, will look to defend their title. They secured victory over South Africa in the thrilling final of the 2023 edition held in South Africa. The remaining two teams waiting to complete the picture will be determined through a separate qualification tournament, adding another layer of intrigue to the lead-up to the World Cup.
Group Stage Breakdown:
• Group A: India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Australia, Qualifier 1
• Group B: Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies, Qualifier 2
