ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Commences in the UAE

The International Cricket Council (ICC) Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to begin in the United Arab Emirates, marking a significant event in the women’s cricket calendar. The tournament kicks off on Thursday, 3 October, with Bangladesh facing Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The event will conclude in Dubai on 20 October, bringing together ten national teams to compete for the prestigious title.

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana expressed enthusiasm ahead of the tournament. Speaking at the Captains’ Day event in Dubai, she said, “We are pretty fortunate that we will do something that is going to help all the fans and the families and friends to get cheered.” Sultana emphasized the local support expected from the Bangladesh community in Sharjah.

In an evocative gesture, the ICC captured the captains’ excitement with a group photograph against the backdrop of the Dubai Frame, a modern symbol of the UAE’s landscape. The photo was taken by Tina Patni, a renowned Dubai-based photographer known for her work in luxury fashion and editorials.

The Captains’ Day event featured a panel session with all ten captains, hosted by Melanie Jones. Among the attendees was Alyssa Healy of Australia, who articulated her team’s ambition to secure a fourth consecutive T20 World Cup title. “There are 10 teams sitting on the stage here today that deserve to be here and have a real shot of winning this World Cup,” Healy stated, underscoring the competitive nature of the tournament.

Australia, currently the top-ranked team in the world, showed form by winning both of their warm-up games against England and the West Indies. They face a challenging Group A that includes India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, ranked third globally, is aiming for their first ICC World Cup victory. They have previously been runners-up in three ICC World Cups. Similarly, England, led by Heather Knight, enters as Group B’s top-ranked team, competing alongside West Indies and South Africa. Knight shared insights on the demands of captaincy during the event.

The tournament, featuring 23 matches over an 18-day period, will be held in Dubai and Sharjah. Tickets are available online and at the stadiums, ensuring fans can witness the high-stakes matches live.