Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Ranking all ten participating teams based on their final squads

The ninth edition of the Women's T20 World Cup is set to begin on the third of October in the UAE. Previously planned in Bangladesh, the geo-political concerns have led the ICC to take a significant step in changing the tournament's venue.

It will witness a wholesome display of ten Women's Cricket teams, a mixture of experienced and underdog contenders for the coveted title. That said, here's a ranking listicle of all the announced squads across all the ten teams for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. 

1.Australia

Squad: Alyssa Healy (Captain), 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. 

The Women's T20 World Cup's defending champions, Australia, have the best squad for the upcoming tournament. Out of nine Women's T20 World Cup editions, the downunder side has won a colossal six times, indicating their robust calibre across men's and women's cricket. The squad has an optimum mix of new and experienced players who can help scalp their seventh title. Overall, there have been just three changes from their previous team, with Heather Graham, Jess Jonassen and Meg Lanning replaced by Tayla Vlaeminck, Phoebe Litchfield and Sophie Molineux.

2. New Zealand

Squad: Sophie Devine (Captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Fran Jonas, Leigh Kasperek, Amelie Kerr, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Molly Penfold, Georgia Plimmer, Hannah Rowe, Lea Tahuhu. 

The New Zealand squad will have the likes of impeccable White Ferns, Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates, who are set to appear in their record ninth-consecutive Women's T20 World Cup tournament, making them the only few players participating in a tournament ever since its inception. Considering the UAE's slow and spin-friendly conditions, the New Zealand squad has got its highlights from their spin-bowling and all-rounders department. 

3. India

Squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), 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. (Reserves: Uma Chetry, Tanuja Kanwer, Saima Thakor, Raghvi Bist, Priya Mishra)

The Indian side is eager to scalp their first-ever triumphant Women's T20 World Cup win. Helmed under the captaincy of Harmanpeet and her deputy, Smriti Mandhana, this squad has been giving them positive results in the long run. The team comprises emerging talents like Shreyanka Patil and many more, thanks to the WPL and the recent bilateral series. 

4. Sri Lanka

Squad: Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana. (Reserve: Kaushini Nuthyangana)

Sri Lanka has got the ticket to the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, thanks to their stellar unbeaten run and performance in the Qualifiers segment under the captaincy of their experienced leader, Chamari Athapaththu. After a memorable first Women's Asia Cup win, the Lankan side strives to convert their first Women's T20 World Cup. With the likes of Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Madhav and Kavisha Dilhari, who have been phenomenal in the recent Women's Asia Cup and bilateral series, they will play a robust pillar role for Chamari's side.

5. South Africa

Squad: Laura Wolvaardt (Captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloé Tryon. (Reserve: Miané Smit)

South Africa, the runners-up in the previous edition of the Women's T20 World Cup, is all set to unleash its best game in the upcoming clashes. The Proteas side has made four changes compared to their previous squad, adding Eliz-Mari Marx, Tumi Sekhukhune, Mieke De Ridder and uncapped Seshnie Naidu. Overall, Wolvaardt and the selection committee have researched comprehensively based on the venue and contenders to formulate a well-balanced side for the upcoming competition.

Also Read: India women's team's stellar preparation earns VVS Laxman's praise

6. West Indies

Squad: Hayley Matthews (Captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Shemaine Campbelle (Vice-Captain, Wicketkeeper), Ashmini Munisar, Afy Fletcher, Stafanie Taylor, Chinelle Henry, Chedean Nation, Qiana Joseph, Zaida James, Karishma Ramharack, Mandy Mangru, Nerissa Crafton.

In the cricket world, West Indies is the team that has produced some swashbuckling and clean hitters across the men's and women's sides. While most sides have seen the inclusion of young and emerging players in their squad, West Indies has taken the other path and followed the experienced campaigner's route, which will be interesting to check out. Hayley Matthews will captain the West Indies' 15-member team for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, which includes Deandra Dottin, who recently reversed her international retirement. Dottin, along with Stafanie Taylor and vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle, is one of the team's most experienced players, having played over 100 T20Is for the West Indies.

7. England

Squad: Heather Knight (Captain), Danni Wyatt, Sophia Dunkley, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Amy Jones (Wicketkeeper), Sophie Ecclestone, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Linsey Smith, Freya Kemp, Dani Gibson, Bess Heath.

England has a squad with a balance of everything, but a miss and hit with their experienced players. Following the path of future planning, the English side has an arsenal of emerging players. Amongst a competitive ten sides, it would be a tricky ride in the coming tournament. But, if they succeed with this squad, this could be a promising sign for England's future in T20I cricket.

8. Bangladesh

Squad: Nigar Sultana Joty (Captain), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, Disha Biswas.

Bangladesh will be led by their prominent and robust batter, Nigar Sultana Joy. They will have a spin-dominant side, aligning with UAE's spin-friendly conditions. Comprising Nahida Akter, Shorna Akter, Rabeya, Sultana Khatun and Fahima Khatun, there are several left and right-hand as well as off-break and leg-break options in their 15-player squad which will do the trick of scalping some pivotal wickets against the intense sides.

9. Pakistan

Squad: Fatima Sana (Captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (Wicketkeeper), Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal (subject to fitness), Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab, Tuba Hassa. (Reserve: Najiha Alvi)

Pakistan Women's team would be under the helm of the 22-year-old Fatima Sana, who has taken up the responsibility from the experienced former captain Nida Dar. With a decent squad and a new captain, Pakistan will be up against the robust contenders of India, Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.

10. Scotland

Squad: Kathryn Bryce (Captain), Sarah Bryce (Vice-Captain), 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. 

Scotland will be playing their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup, credit to their impeccable performance amongst the promising teams in the tournament Qualifiers. The team has made a mark with Sri Lanka and sealed a spot in Group B, where they will be clubbing up against their neighbours England, South Africa, West Indies, and Bangladesh. To sum it up, the squad comprises many all-rounders like Kathryn Bryce, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser and Megan McColl, with Abtaha Maqsood leading the spinners department for the UAE-held tournament.