The 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: A Comprehensive Overview
The 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to be an exciting event for cricket fans around the globe. Scheduled to take place from October 3 to October 20, 2024, this ninth edition of the tournament has seen some significant changes, including a shift in location. Originally slated to be hosted in Bangladesh, the tournament has been relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to political unrest. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) retains the hosting rights, adding a unique flavor to this prestigious event. Let’s delve into the details surrounding this much-anticipated tournament.
Background of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is the premier international championship for women’s Twenty20 cricket, organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Since its inception in 2009, this tournament has been held every two years, showcasing the best talent in women’s cricket. The last tournament, held in 2023 in South Africa, featured 10 teams, with Australia emerging victorious against South Africa in the final. Australia will be defending their title in the upcoming event.
Host Selection
In December 2022, the ICC announced Bangladesh as the host nation for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. However, due to escalating internal conflicts in the country, the ICC decided in August 2024 to move the tournament to the UAE while still recognizing Bangladesh as the official host. This decision highlights the ICC’s commitment to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of players and fans alike.
Tournament Format
The tournament will feature 10 qualifying teams divided into two groups of five. Each team will play against all others in their group, leading to a total of 10 matches per group. The top two teams from each group will advance to the knockout stage, ensuring that the best teams progress to the semifinals and finals.
Group Stage Teams
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| Australia | Bangladesh |
| India | England |
| New Zealand | South Africa |
| Pakistan | West Indies |
| Sri Lanka | Scotland |
Schedule of Matches
The tournament will kick off on October 3, 2024, with the first matches set to take place in Sharjah and Dubai. Here’s a brief overview of the opening fixtures:
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2024 | Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| October 4, 2024 | India vs. New Zealand | Dubai International Stadium |
| October 5, 2024 | Australia vs. Sri Lanka | Sharjah Cricket Stadium |
| October 6, 2024 | Pakistan vs. India | Dubai International Stadium |
Prize Money
The ICC has allocated a total prize pool of $7,958,080 for the tournament. The winning team will receive at least $2.34 million, with additional bonuses for match victories. Here’s the breakdown of the prize money allocation:
| Position | Teams | Amount Per Team | Total Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champions | 1 | $2.34 million | $2.34 million |
| Runners-up | 1 | $1.17 million | $1.17 million |
| Semi-finalists | 2 | $675,000 | $1.35 million |
| 5th–10th Place (Group Stage) | 6 | $67,500 | $405,000 |
| Match Winners | 20 | $31,154 | $623,080 |
| Total | 10 | $7,958,080 |
Qualification Process
The qualification for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup was determined through a series of processes:
- Hosts: Bangladesh automatically qualified.
- Top Six Teams from the 2023 T20 World Cup: Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies.
- Top-Ranked Team: Pakistan qualified based on the ICC Women’s T20I Team Rankings.
- Global Qualifiers: Scotland and Sri Lanka secured their spots through the qualifying tournament.
Teams Participating
| Method of Qualification | Number of Teams | Teams |
|---|---|---|
| Hosts | 1 | Bangladesh |
| Top 6 from 2023 T20 World Cup | 6 | Australia, England, India, South Africa, New Zealand, West Indies |
| ICC Women’s T20I Rankings | 1 | Pakistan |
| Global Qualifiers | 2 | Scotland, Sri Lanka |
| Total | 10 |
Venues
Initially, Dhaka and Sylhet in Bangladesh were confirmed as the venues for the tournament. However, after the relocation, the matches will now be held at:
Venues in the UAE
| Venue | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai International Stadium | Dubai | 25,000 |
| Sharjah Cricket Stadium | Sharjah | 16,000 |
Squads and Match Officials
Each participating team will announce a squad of 15 players prior to the tournament, allowing for injury replacements if necessary. Additionally, an all-woman panel of match officials has been appointed, including:
Match Officials
| Role | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Match Referee | Shandre Fritz | South Africa |
| Match Referee | G. S. Lakshmi | India |
| Match Referee | Michell Pereira | Sri Lanka |
| Umpire | Lauren Agenbag | South Africa |
| Umpire | Kim Cotton | New Zealand |
| Umpire | Sarah Dambanevana | Zimbabwe |
| Umpire | Anna Harris | England |
| Umpire | Nimali Perera | Sri Lanka |
| Umpire | Claire Polosak | Australia |
| Umpire | Vrinda Rathi | India |
| Umpire | Sue Redfern | England |
| Umpire | Jacqueline Williams | West Indies |
Broadcasting and Streaming
The World Cup will be streamed on ICC.tv for free across 116 territories, while various broadcasting rights have been allocated globally. In India, it will be aired on Star Sports and Disney+ Hotstar, while in the USA, it will be available on ESPN Caribbean.
Broadcasting Rights
| Region | Country/Sub-region | Television Broadcaster |
|---|---|---|
| Asia | Bangladesh | Nagorik |
| India | Star Sports, Disney+ Hotstar | |
| Pakistan | PTV Home, Ten Sports | |
| Europe | Ireland | Sky Sports |
| United Kingdom | BBC Radio | |
| Americas | Canada | Willow |
| United States | ESPN Caribbean | |
| Oceania | Australia | Amazon Prime, ABC Sport |
| New Zealand | Sky Sport NZ | |
| Africa | Middle East/North Africa | CricLife Women, Super Sport |
Conclusion
The 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup promises to be a thrilling showcase of women’s cricket talent. With top teams competing for glory in the UAE, fans can expect high-octane matches filled with excitement and nail-biting finishes. As Australia defends their title, the stage is set for new champions to emerge. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable cricketing experience!
