ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: All You Need to Know About Prize Money, Venues, Teams, and Key Matches in UAE.

The 9th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to begin on October 3, 2024, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where a total of 24 matches will be played. Originally scheduled to be held in Bangladesh, the tournament was relocated to the UAE, with matches taking place at two iconic venues: Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Stadium.

The tournament will kick off with the opening match between Bangladesh and Scotland at Sharjah on October 3, followed by a second match on the same day featuring Pakistan vs Sri Lanka.

Tournament Format and Teams The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup will feature 10 teams, divided into two groups: Group A: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka Group B: Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa, West Indies Each team will play four group-stage matches between October 3 and 13. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on October 16 and 17. The tournament will culminate in the final on October 20 at the Dubai International Stadium.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: All You Need to Know About Prize Money, Venues, Teams, and Key Matches in UAE.

Tournament Format and Teams The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup will feature 10 teams, divided into two groups

Group A: Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

Group B: Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa, West Indies

Each team will play four group-stage matches between October 3 and 13. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on October 16 and 17. The tournament will culminate in the final on October 20 at the Dubai International Stadium.

Prize Money This edition comes with a record-breaking prize pool of $7.96 million, marking a significant 225% increase from the previous edition, reflecting the ICC’s commitment to gender equality in sports.

The prize money breakdown is as follows:

Winners: $2.34 million

Runners-up: $1.17 million

Losing semifinalists: $675,000

Third and fourth place finishers in the group stage: $270,000

Fifth place finishers in the group stage: $135,000

Each group-stage win: $31,154

Venues of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: All You Need to Know About Prize Money, Venues, Teams, and Key Matches in UAE.

Sharjah Cricket Stadium

The Sharjah Cricket Stadium is one of the oldest and most renowned cricketing venues in the world. It will host the tournament’s opening match on October 3, where Bangladesh will face Scotland, followed by Pakistan vs Sri Lanka later that day.
Having hosted more than 200 ODIs since 1984, Sharjah is a beloved venue among South Asian cricket fans. It has been the setting for several important women’s cricket matches, including Pakistan’s first women’s T20 international in 2015. With a capacity of 16,000, it boasts a rich cricketing history. Sharjah also honors cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar with a stand named after him in 2023, commemorating his iconic century in the 1998 Coca-Cola Cup.Sharjah will host a total of 11 matches, including the second semifinal on October 18, and key group-stage clashes like India vs Australia and England vs South Africa.

Dubai International Stadium

Known for its modern facilities and its iconic “Ring of Fire” lighting system, the Dubai International Stadium will be another pivotal venue for the tournament. The stadium, which opened in 2009, has hosted numerous high-profile events, including the 2021 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Final. Dubai’s first match will be held on October 5, followed by one of the most anticipated fixtures, India vs Pakistan, on October 6. With a seating capacity of over 25,000, this stadium will also host the grand final on October 20.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: All You Need to Know About Prize Money, Venues, Teams, and Key Matches in UAE.

Players to Watch Here are some of the top stars expected to make an impact in the tournament

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka): The explosive captain has the potential to lead Sri Lanka to their first-ever semifinal appearance.

Smriti Mandhana (India): Known for her elegance and flair, Mandhana will be key to India’s hopes of winning their maiden title. Beth Mooney (Australia): A dependable opener, Mooney thrives under pressure, making her a critical player for Australia.

Hayley Matthews (West Indies): A powerful all-rounder, Matthews could turn the tide for her team with both bat and ball.

Sophie Ecclestone (England): The world’s top-ranked T20 bowler will be a major threat for opposing teams, pivotal in England’s title bid.

Teams and Qualification

Australia, India, England, South Africa, West Indies, and New Zealand qualified based on their performances in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.

Bangladesh originally qualified as the host nation before the event was relocated to the UAE.

Pakistan qualified through their ICC rankings at the end of the 2023 edition, while Sri Lanka and Scotland secured their spots through qualifying tournaments earlier in 2024.

Key Matches to Watch

India vs Pakistan – October 6, Dubai: One of the most intense rivalries in cricket, this match is sure to attract global attention. India leads the head-to-head, with 12 wins out of 15 T20 matches against Pakistan.

Australia vs India: This marquee matchup, scheduled for Sharjah, will see reigning champions Australia take on India, runners-up in the 2020 edition.

England vs South Africa: A crucial Group B clash in Sharjah, where two heavyweight teams will compete for a spot in the semifinals.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: All You Need to Know About Prize Money, Venues, Teams, and Key Matches in UAE.

Tickets and Fan Access

Tickets for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 went on sale on September 25, with prices ranging from 5 UAE dirhams ($1.36) to 550 dirhams ($150). To encourage youth participation, free entry is available for fans under the age of 18. Tickets can be purchased via the official tournament website and at kiosks at the stadiums.

The Favourites for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup

Australia: The Defending Giants

Australia, with six T20 World Cup titles under their belt, continue to be the team to beat. Under the dynamic leadership of Alyssa Healy, the Aussies are a well-rounded unit, combining seasoned veterans with fresh talent. Their consistency in big tournaments and wealth of experience give them the upper hand heading into this World Cup. Every team knows that Australia is the gold standard in women’s cricket

England: Ready to Challenge Again The 2009 champions,

England, are one of the few teams capable of dethroning Australia. Known for their aggressive style of play, they are perennial contenders. With strong all-rounders and match-winners across the squad, they have both the skill and the determination to lift the trophy once again. After consistently reaching the knockout stages in previous editions, England is itching to return to the top.

India: The Hungry Runners-Up

India has come agonizingly close to their first ICC title on multiple occasions, including finishing as runners-up in the 2020 edition. With some of the most talented players in the world and the advantage of playing in familiar subcontinental conditions, they are one of the strongest contenders. The squad, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will be motivated to finally bring the cup home.

Sri Lanka: The Dark Horses

Sri Lanka, under Chamari Athapaththu, will enter this World Cup as a potential surprise package. After defeating India in a thrilling Asia Cup final, they have proven they can upset the top teams. With a mix of powerful hitters and disciplined bowlers, they are capable of making a deep run if they maintain their momentum from recent successes.

 

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: All You Need to Know About Prize Money, Venues, Teams, and Key Matches in UAE.