The 10 Women’s Teams for T20 World Cup 2024 will take part, and will be is one of the most anticipated cricket events of the year. The tournament brings together the world’s best women’s teams to compete for the prestigious T20 title. Initially set to be hosted by Bangladesh, the tournament was moved to the United Arab Emirates due to security concerns. With the competition set to take place in two of the UAE’s most renowned stadiums, the stage is set for an exciting battle. This article provides an in-depth look at the details of the tournament, the teams participating, and their past performances.
Overview of the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is a biennial event where the top 10 teams from around the world compete in the shortest format of the game. Australia, the reigning champions, will aim to defend their title and continue their dominance in women’s cricket, but several other teams are strong contenders this year. The tournament is scheduled to take place from October 3 to October 20, 2024.
Tournament Schedule and Venues
The tournament will be held across two stadiums in the UAE:
- Dubai International Cricket Stadium: One of the most iconic cricket venues in the world, located in Dubai. It has a seating capacity of 25,000 and has hosted numerous international and franchise cricket matches.
- Sharjah Cricket Stadium: Another well-known venue in Sharjah, capable of accommodating around 16,000 spectators. It is famous for hosting high-scoring encounters and thrilling finishes.
Key Dates
- Group Stage: October 3 – 14, 2024
- Semi-finals: October 17 – 18, 2024
- Final: October 20, 2024
Qualified Teams for the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
The 10 teams competing in this year’s tournament have qualified based on different criteria, such as past performances, ICC rankings, and results from qualifying tournaments. Here’s a look at the teams, their qualification method, and their best performances in previous editions of the tournament.
| Team | Qualification Method | Best Performance |
| Bangladesh | Original Host Nation | Group Stage (2014-2023) |
| Australia | 2023 T20 World Cup Winner | Winners (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023) |
| England | 2023 T20 World Cup Semi-finalist | Winners (2016) |
| India | 2023 T20 World Cup Semi-finalist | Runners-up (2020) |
| New Zealand | 2023 T20 World Cup Participant | Runners-up (2009, 2010) |
| South Africa | 2023 T20 World Cup Runner-up | Runners-up (2023) |
| West Indies | 2023 T20 World Cup Participant | Winners (2016) |
| Pakistan | ICC Women’s T20I Team Ranking | Group Stage (2009-2023) |
| Scotland | 2024 T20 World Cup Qualifier | N/A (Debut in 2024) |
| Sri Lanka | 2024 T20 World Cup Qualifier | Group Stage (2009-2023) |
Team Profiles and Outlook for 2024
1. Bangladesh
- Best Performance: Group Stage (2014-2023)
- Outlook: Bangladesh qualified automatically as the original host nation, but they have never made it past the group stage in their previous appearances. With limited success in the tournament, they face an uphill battle, and expectations remain modest.
2. Australia
- Best Performance: Winners (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023)
- Outlook: Australia is the most successful team in the history of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, having won six out of the eight tournaments. With Alyssa Healy at the helm, they are the favorites to win again in 2024. Their depth, experience, and strong performances in previous editions make them the team to beat.
3. England
- Best Performance: Winners (2016)
- Outlook: England is a strong contender and has reached the final four times. Despite winning the tournament once in 2016, they have struggled to go all the way in recent editions. However, their consistent performances in the knockout stages make them a team to watch out for.
4. India
- Best Performance: Runners-up (2020)
- Outlook: India has been one of the strongest teams in women’s cricket but has yet to claim the T20 World Cup title. They finished as runners-up in 2020 after losing to Australia in the final. With a balanced squad and key players like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, India will be aiming to finally lift the trophy in 2024.
5. New Zealand
- Best Performance: Runners-up (2009, 2010)
- Outlook: New Zealand has been consistent in the early editions of the tournament, reaching the final in both 2009 and 2010. However, they have struggled to maintain that level of performance in recent years. As a top-five ranked side, they still pose a threat to any team and will be hoping to reclaim their former glory.
6. South Africa
- Best Performance: Runners-up (2023)
- Outlook: South Africa came agonizingly close to winning the title in 2023, losing to Australia by just 19 runs in the final. This time, they’ll be looking to go one step further and win their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. With a strong core of players and the experience from their near-miss last year, South Africa is one of the top contenders.
7. West Indies
- Best Performance: Winners (2016)
- Outlook: The West Indies pulled off an upset to win the tournament in 2016 but have failed to replicate that success since. After a disappointing first-round exit in 2023, the West Indies will be desperate to bounce back and reach the knockout stages in 2024.
8. Pakistan
- Best Performance: Group Stage (2009-2023)
- Outlook: Pakistan has struggled in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, failing to make it past the group stages in every edition. Despite their difficulties, they are determined to break their knockout stage hoodoo and will be aiming to cause an upset in 2024.
9. Scotland
- Best Performance: N/A (Debut in 2024)
- Outlook: Scotland is the only debutant in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. They earned their spot through a remarkable qualifying campaign, including an upset win over Ireland. Expectations are low, but they have nothing to lose and will be looking to make a mark in their first-ever appearance on this stage.
10. Sri Lanka
- Best Performance: Group Stage (2009-2023)
- Outlook: Sri Lanka has consistently qualified for the tournament but has never made it past the group stage. They secured their place in the 2024 edition by winning the qualifier, but like Bangladesh, they face a tough challenge to break out of the group stages this time around.
Key Players to Watch
Every team has its set of star players who can turn the tide in crucial moments. Here are some of the key players to watch out for in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup:
- Alyssa Healy (Australia): Australia’s captain and one of the best wicketkeeper-batters in the world, Healy will be crucial to her team’s success.
- Smriti Mandhana (India): A top-order batter known for her elegance and consistency, Mandhana will be pivotal for India’s chances.
- Sophie Devine (New Zealand): As one of the top all-rounders in the game, Devine’s contributions with both bat and ball will be essential for New Zealand.
- Marizanne Kapp (South Africa): A seasoned all-rounder, Kapp’s performances in pressure situations make her a key player for South Africa.
Conclusion
The 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup promises to be a highly competitive tournament, with Australia entering as favorites. However, teams like England, India, and South Africa are more than capable of challenging their dominance. The addition of Scotland as a debutant and the possible resurgence of teams like West Indies and Sri Lanka add extra intrigue to the tournament. All eyes will be on the UAE as the world’s top women cricketers compete for the coveted trophy.
