The excitement mounts as the ninth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup kicks off today, October 3, bringing together ten cricketing nations vying for the prestigious trophy. This year, the tournament opens under unique circumstances, having been moved to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Bangladesh due to recent political unrest and violence in the originally scheduled host nation. Despite the shift, Bangladesh retains its official status as host and will face Scotland in the much-anticipated opening match.
This global event launches with back-to-back games featuring Bangladesh against Scotland and Pakistan facing Sri Lanka, both contests set to electrify the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. These matches mark the beginning of nearly three weeks of intense competition, culminating in the finals in Dubai on October 20.
India’s national women’s team will commence their tournament journey on October 4 against New Zealand at the renowned Dubai International Cricket Stadium. India is grouped in Group A and continues to be one of the teams to watch, with a robust squad eager to make their mark on the tournament. The teams are divided into two groups, each consisting of five teams. The top two teams from each group will earn a coveted spot in the semifinals.
. With Australia stepping into this year’s competition as the reigning champions, aiming to achieve an unprecedented seventh title under the leadership of Alyssa Healy, the tournament promises spectacular cricket action.
All matches throughout the event will be hosted across the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Cricket Stadium, both renowned for their world-class facilities and atmosphere. The schedule that follows gives a detailed look at what cricket enthusiasts can expect over the coming days:
– October 3: Match 1 – Bangladesh vs Scotland, Sharjah, 3:30 PM IST
– October 3: Match 2 – Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Sharjah, 7:30 PM IST
– October 4: Match 3 – South Africa vs West Indies, Dubai, 3:30 PM IST
– October 4: Match 4 – India vs New Zealand, Dubai, 7:30 PM IST
– October 5: Match 5 – Australia vs Sri Lanka, Sharjah, 3:30 PM IST
– October 5: Match 6 – Bangladesh vs England, Sharjah, 7:30 PM IST
– October 6: Match 7 – India vs Pakistan, Dubai, 3:30 PM IST
– October 6: Match 8 – West Indies vs Scotland, Dubai, 7:30 PM IST
– October 7: Match 9 – England vs South Africa, Sharjah, 7:30 PM IST
– October 8: Match 10 – Australia vs New Zealand, Sharjah, 7:30 PM IST
– October 9: Match 11 – South Africa vs Scotland, Dubai, 3:30 PM IST
– October 9: Match 12 – India vs Sri Lanka, Dubai, 7:30 PM IST
– October 10: Match 13 – Bangladesh vs West Indies, Sharjah, 7:30 PM IST
– October 11: Match 14 – Australia vs Pakistan, Dubai, 7:30 PM IST
– October 12: Match 15 – New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Sharjah, 3:30 PM IST
– October 12: Match 16 – Bangladesh vs South Africa, Dubai, 7:30 PM IST
– October 13: Match 17 – England vs Scotland, Sharjah, 3:30 PM IST
– October 13: Match 18 – India vs Australia, Sharjah, 7:30 PM IST
– October 14: Match 19 – Pakistan vs New Zealand, Dubai, 7:30 PM IST
– October 15: Match 20 – England vs West Indies, Dubai, 7:30 PM IST
The semifinals are scheduled for October 17 and 18, in Dubai and Sharjah respectively, leading up to the grand finale on October 20 in Dubai, which promises to be a truly thrilling showcase of women’s cricket on the global stage.
The tournament not only promises competitive cricket but is also set to be a spectacle of sportsmanship and skill with teams such as Australia, India, England, New Zealand, and the West Indies bringing formidable lineups. These include renowned players like Alyssa Healy of Australia, Harmanpreet Kaur of India, and Heather Knight from England, all leading squads brimming with talent.
For those unable to attend in person, Star Sports Network will provide live telecasts of all matches on TV in India, and Disney+Hotstar is set to stream the matches live, making this a truly accessible event for fans across the nation.
As the games unfold, fans worldwide watch with bated breath, eager to see which nation will claim the title of Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 champion. With recent changes in venue and the backdrop of Bangladesh’s political issues, the tournament serves as not only a sporting event but also as a symbol of resilience and global unity through sports.
