The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing for another spectacle event following the successful conclusion of the men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to kickstart from 3rd October onwards and is expected to be bigger and more entertaining than ever. Some of the biggest names in the cricket world will be taking on each other to clinch the title of the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
All the teams participating in the tournament will be heading to UAE in pursuit of victory and to write history. With star players such as Smriti Mandhana, Stafanie Taylor, Harmanpreet Kaur, Alyssa Healy, and Dani Gibson taking part in the tournament, the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup is all set to draw humungous crowds to the stadiums.
It has to be noted that after Australia’s historic sixth title win in South Africa last year, the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 will be the last tournament to take place in the current 10-nation format before a major overhaul.
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All the excitement and thrill around the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 also reflects major sporting events’ broader and deeper impact on various sectors, including economic development and online gaming. As teams prepare to compete in the UAE, the tournament not only captivates cricket fans worldwide but also highlights the growing influence of these industries.
Meanwhile, as all the teams gear up to showcase their skills, the stage is all set for an exciting and memorable tournament. Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, we bring you a list of things to watch for in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Have a look:
Recent Hundred Performers Lead England’s World Cup Charge:
England cricket team has put their faith in the players, who shone in the recent The Hundred competition, to break their ICC drought in the upcoming edition of the T20 World Cup. The squad includes star performers like slow left-arm spinner Linsey Smith (15 wickets at an impressive average of 9.66), right-arm pacer Lauren Bell (nine wickets at 20.77), all-rounder Dani Gibson (eight wickets and 111 runs with a strike rate of 135.36), and keeper-batter Bess Heath (three dismissals and 48 runs with a strike rate of 97.95).
While they have included the star performers from the recent The Hundred, some familiar faces will miss out. However, the squad guarantees an in-form team captained by Heather Knight. The England women’s cricket team is heading to the UAE, hoping to win their first ICC Women’s title since 2017.
Dark Horses for the Title
Pakistan’s women’s team has always struggled in T20 World Cups, never making it past the first round in eight tries. But with the T20 World Cup 2024 just around the corner, the Pakistan cricketers can make a difference as it is their second home.
The recent change in the leadership also aims to relieve Nida Dar of the captaincy pressures and will allow new captain Fatima Sana to prove herself.
Also, the squad announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 has only one change from the team that participated in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, as the selectors have decided to stick with their core players. The stability in the squad might help the Pakistani women to compete better in the tournament.
Indian women aiming for their maiden T20 World Cup:
Despite the Indian cricket team competing in all eight editions of the Women’s T20 World Cups, they are still seeking their first title. Their closest shot at winning the T20 World Cup came in the year 2020 when they finished as runners-up to Australia.
However, this year many believe that the Indian cricket team has the potential to end their World Cup drought. The Indian women’s cricket team, which ranks third in the ICC T20 rankings, boasts top performers like Smriti Mandhana, who excelled in 2024 with 495 runs in 14 innings and will rely on Harmanpreet Kaur and Shafali Verma for their batting strength.
Talking about their bowling strength, Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh will play a crucial role in the upcoming tournament. With a strong and balanced squad, this could be India’s chance to claim their maiden title in the prestigious ICC tournament.
Australia’s Pace Prowess: A Key Strategy for the UAE:
Australia’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 will feature several top fast bowlers, including Tayla Vlaeminck and Darcie Brown, who might play together for the first time in international cricket. Although the pitches in the UAE are typically favourable to spinners, the extra pace on slow, low wickets could provide an unexpected advantage.
Skipper Alyssa Healy shares this view, stating, “Think having those two on our side is a huge point of difference. Especially in conditions we are going to get, having real pace on your side is a real advantage.”
Veteran Players to Lead West Indies’ World Cup Bid
The return of Deandra Dottin from retirement has brought valuable experience back to the West Indies women’s cricket team. She will be joining the former captain Stafanie Taylor, the current captain Hayley Matthews, and vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle in a strong leadership group.
The West Indies cricket players, who won the World Cup in 2016, haven’t reached the semi-finals since their home World Cup in 2018. The team will be looking forward to making a strong comeback in the ICC tournament and winning the prestigious silverware, riding on the back of their experienced players.
CWI Director of Cricket, Miles Bascombe, expressed confidence in the selected squad, stating,
“We have a well-balanced team with a combination of experience and youth, and we believe this group has what it takes to compete strongly at the T20 World Cup. Our preparation has been thorough, and the management team has worked tirelessly to ensure the players are ready for the challenges ahead.”
Head Coach Shane Deitz added,
“The players have shown great commitment and determination throughout our preparations. We are focused on executing our game plan and making the West Indies proud on the world stage.”
Check the squads announced by the teams for the T20 World Cup 2024:
Australia:
Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham
Bangladesh:
To be announced…
India:
Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Yastika Bhatia (subject to fitness), Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil (subject to fitness), Sajana Sajeevan.
England:
Heather Knight (c), Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Bess Heath
New Zealand:
To be announced…
Pakistan:
Fatima Sana (c), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassan.
Scotland:
Kathryn Bryce (c), Sarah Bryce (vc), Lorna Jack-Brown, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Abtaha Maqsood, Saskia Horley, Chloe Abel, Priyanaz Chatterji, Megan McColl, Darcey Carter, Ailsa Lister, Hannah Rainey, Rachel Slater, Katherine Fraser, Olivia Bell.
South Africa:
Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen Mieke De Ridder (WK), Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta (WK), Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukune, Chloe Tryon.
Sri Lanka:
To be announced…
West Indies:
Hayley Matthews (c), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (vc, wk), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafto
