The ICC has released the latest Future Tours Programme (FTP) for women's cricket for the 2025-29 cycle, bringing several key updates aimed at enhancing the global profile of the sport. Among the highlights are dedicated windows for three major T20 leagues: the Women's Premier League (WPL) in January-February, The Hundred in August, and the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in November. This strategic scheduling ensures uninterrupted participation of international stars, thereby heightening the competition’s appeal and fan engagement across the globe.

ICC unveils new women's FTP with separate windows for WPL, Hundred, and WBBL

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also shifted the WPL window to January-February from 2026. This adjustment aligns with Cricket Australia's (CA) decision to reschedule its marquee international home fixtures, previously held in mid-January, to a February-March window. The 2025 Women’s Ashes, set to begin in January, will be Australia’s last home series during this time slot until at least 2029. Following the WPL in 2026, Australia is set to host India for a highly anticipated tour, featuring one Test, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

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ICC Women's Championship expanded and new T20 Champions Trophy announced

In a bid to expand the reach of women's cricket, the ICC Women's Championship will now include 11 teams, with Zimbabwe joining as the latest addition. This expansion follows the recent inclusion of Bangladesh and Ireland, underscoring the ICC’s commitment to growing the women’s game. With Zimbabwe’s addition, every Full Member of the ICC, except Afghanistan, will now field a team in the ODI Championship. The current cycle will culminate in the 2025 ODI World Cup in India, promising a highly competitive format with new entrants.

The ICC also introduced a T20 Champions Trophy, set to be hosted by Sri Lanka in 2027. This event is part of ICC’s strategy to have at least one global women’s tournament every year, with the Champions Trophy joining an already busy schedule of major events. In 2028, fans can look forward to the inclusion of cricket in the Los Angeles Olympics (August) and the T20 World Cup (September), which will take place within a 14-month period, offering fans an action-packed calendar of top-level women’s cricket.

The Irish cricket team is gearing up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a lot on their plate. With a current winning percentage of 42% in the T20 format, the team, under the leadership of Paul Stirling, is looking to impact the international stage significantly. While Ireland may not be the most powerful team, they are known for giving tough competition to their opponents.

Current Performance

Ireland’s performance in T20 cricket has been mixed, reflected in their 42% winning percentage. Despite having few players in different leagues worldwide, the team has shown promise. The captain, Paul Stirling, has expressed confidence in the team, assuring fans that players like Inful Singh and Vijay will shine in the upcoming tournament.

Team Composition

Under the seasoned leadership of Paul Stirling, the Irish cricket team boasts a mix of experienced players and promising young talents. Key players include George Dockrell, known for his spin skills, and Lorcan Tucker and Craig Young, who add depth and diversity to the team.

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SWOT Analysis of Ireland’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Strengths

Paul Stirling brings stability and invaluable experience to the team, providing a strong foundation for their T20 campaign. The duo of Curtis Campher and Gareth Delany offers a balance of batting and bowling prowess, crucial for T20 matches.

Ben White is starting to make his mark, adding depth and variation to Ireland’s bowling attack alongside the seasoned George Dockrell. Lorcan Tucker has been a mainstay in the batting lineup, scoring 227 runs at an average of 37.83 in the last two series, demonstrating his importance to the team’s success.

Weaknesses

One of Ireland’s significant challenges is its inconsistency in scoring big scores, which often results in collapses in its batting lineup. The team heavily depends on key players like Stirling and Balbirnie, which can be problematic if these players hit a rough patch.

Ireland struggles with containing runs in the final overs due to the absence of experienced death bowlers, which is crucial in T20 cricket. With fewer opportunities to play against elite teams, Ireland’s experience in high-pressure situations is limited, affecting their adaptability in major tournaments.

Opportunities

Analyzing previous competitions allows Ireland to identify areas for improvement and devise better strategies for the T20 World Cup. Introducing young talent on the international stage boosts the team’s performance and ensures a bright future for Irish cricket.

Ireland has the potential to pull off surprising victories against higher-ranked teams, which could boost their confidence and improve their international standing.

Threats

Playing against teams like Australia, England, and India poses a significant challenge due to the gap in experience and rankings. High expectations can influence internal pressure, affecting players’ confidence and decision-making during critical moments. Ireland must develop resilience and a focused mindset to navigate high-pressure situations effectively.

Ireland is placed in Group A of the tournament, facing formidable opponents like India, Pakistan, USA, and Canada. Each team presents unique challenges that Ireland must overcome to advance in the competition.

Ireland’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Paul Stirling (Capt), Mark Adair, Ross Adair, Andrew Balbirnie, Curtis Campher, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Graham Hume, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Neil Rock, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Ben White, Craig Young