The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has introduced the Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup. It will work as a strong preparation for the Asian teams before the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.

The ACC Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup will be held biennially. On Wednesday (September 11), during the official launch of the tournament, the ACC added that it would be a key tournament before each ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup. 

Malaysia will host the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025 between January 18 and February 2, 2025. It will be the second edition of the tournament, while India won its inaugural edition in South Africa in January 2023. 

Just like its inaugural edition, the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025 will be played with 16 teams. 

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The inaugural ACC Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup is likely to be played in December 2024

Meanwhile, the ACC hasn’t produced any details yet about the first edition of the Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup, including the hosting rights and number of participants. 

However, ESPNcricinfo reported that the ACC Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup is likely to be played in mid-December 2024. 

The introduction of the Women’s U19 Asia Cup is a monumental achievement: ACC President Jay Shah

The ACC President Jay Shah said, “Today marks a pivotal moment for cricket in Asia. The introduction of the Women’s U19 Asia Cup is a monumental achievement, providing a much-needed platform for young women cricketers to develop their skills and showcase their talent. This initiative strengthens the future of women’s cricket in Asia, and we are proud of the lasting impact these decisions will have, not only within our member nations but across the global cricketing community.”

The ACC organises multiple international tournaments, which help the Asian cricket teams grow strongly. It also helps the Asian cricket teams to strengthen their relationships with other Asian cricket teams.

Apart from the popular men’s international level tournaments and various age-group international tournaments, the ACC also organises multiple women’s international level competitions. Before the just-launched ACC Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup, the ACC organised the Women’s Asia Cup, Women’s Premier Cup, and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup. 

Last July, Sri Lanka hosted the Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, where the hosts Sri Lanka Women won the trophy for the first time after beating India Women in the final of the tournament. 

On the other hand, Bangladesh has the hosting rights for the ACC U19 Asia Cup 2024, which has been scheduled for December 2024.  

In a move to promote women’s cricket and ensure widespread support, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced free entry for spectators for the upcoming Women’s T20 Asia Cup starting from July 19.

Details of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup

The ninth edition of the Women’s T20 Asia Cup is set to take place in Sri Lanka, with all matches hosted at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. The tournament, running from July 19 to July 28, will feature eight teams: Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Nepal, Malaysia, and Thailand. This highly anticipated event will serve as a key competition ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup later this year.

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Sri Lanka Cricket’s initiative

By offering free entry to all matches, SLC aims to fill the stands and create an electrifying atmosphere for the players. According to SLC Vice President Ravin Wickramaratne, the board is committed to hosting a successful tournament that will elevate women’s cricket on the global stage.

“Sri Lanka Cricket, with the support of the Asian Cricket Council, is planning to conduct a highly successful tournament, as a successful outcome of this tournament will help advance women’s cricket on the world stage,’ said Ravin Wickramaratne in a press release.

Group Divisions and Fixtures

The eight participating teams have been divided into two groups. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal, while Group B includes Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand. The tournament will kick off with the UAE facing Nepal, followed by a high-stakes match between arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

India’s campaign kickoff

India, the defending champions, will begin their campaign against Pakistan. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, given the fierce rivalry between the two teams. India’s dominance in the tournament, having won seven out of the eight editions, adds to the excitement and pressure for both teams.

Tournament Format

The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will feature a total of 15 matches, culminating in the final on July 28. The tournament’s T20 format is not only fast-paced and exciting but also serves as a preparation ground for the Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year. Teams will be looking to fine-tune their strategies and build momentum ahead of the global event.

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has unveiled exciting news for cricket enthusiasts worldwide: the eagerly awaited Women’s Asia Cup 2024 is all set to grace the cricketing arena. Scheduled to be held in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, from July 19th to July 28th, 2024, this edition promises to be a riveting spectacle of talent, teamwork, and fierce competition.

A Platform for Women’s Cricket: Overview of the Tournament

The ACC has announced the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, signaling a significant moment for women’s cricket in the region. With eight teams slated to participate, this edition marks a notable increase from the previous edition, highlighting the growing interest and engagement in women’s cricket across Asia.

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Teams and Expectations

Joining traditional powerhouses such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh are the semi-finalists of the Women’s Premier Cup 2024: the UAE, Malaysia, Nepal, and Thailand. This expansion promises to elevate the level of competition, offering fans an exhilarating display of cricketing prowess.

Female Referees and Umpires

In alignment with the ACC’s vision of inclusivity and equality, the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 will continue the tradition of featuring all-female referees and umpires. This initiative, previously implemented in the 2022 edition, underscores the ACC’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment for women in cricket.

ACC’s Commitment to Women’s Cricket: Future Prospects

The Women’s Asia Cup has emerged as a cornerstone event in the ACC calendar, providing a vital platform for women cricketers to showcase their skills and passion for the sport. With each edition, the ACC reaffirms its commitment to advancing women’s cricket and nurturing a conducive environment for talent to thrive.

ACC president Jay Shah said, “The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 underscores the ACC’s commitment to promoting women’s cricket in the region. We are excited to see the increased participation and competitiveness among the teams, reflecting the growing popularity and importance of women’s cricket. This expansion, from six teams in 2018 to seven in 2022, and now eight, is a testament to our commitment to the women’s game and the burgeoning talent pool in Asian cricket. We anticipate an exciting tournament that will inspire both players and fans.”

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