(Image: X @ICC)

India will be opening its 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on Oct 4 in Sylhet, said the International Cricket Council (ICC) while releasing the tournament schedule today.

India’s highly anticipated match against Pakistan will be held on Oct 6 in Sylhet. India are in Group A alongside New Zealand, Pakistan, Qualifier 1 and Australia, who they will face on Oct 13 in Sylhet.

“I’m thrilled at the prospect of competing in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year. The growth of women’s cricket over the past few years and especially Women’s World Cups have been incredible. I am sure this event will be no different with competitive and high energy cricket to entertain the world,” said Harmanpreet Kaur, India captain, in an ICC statement

Group B comprises Bangladesh, England, South Africa, West Indies and Qualifier 2. The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup will be held from Oct 3-20 in Bangladesh, the second time it is hosting the tournament after 2014.

Women’s T20 World Cup Schedule

Oct 4: India vs New Zealand, Sylhet

Oct 6: India vs Pakistan, Sylhet

Oct 9: India vs Qualifier-1, Sylhet

Oct 13: India vs Australia, Sylhet

Oct 17: First semi-final, Sylhet

Oct 18: Second semi-final, Dhaka

Oct 20: Final, Dhaka

Ten teams will play 23 matches over 18 days, at two venues - the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet. 2023 World Cup runners up South Africa will play England in the opening match of the tournament.

It is followed by hosts Bangladesh facing Qualifier 2 in the evening match in Dhaka. Australia, the defending champions and the most successful team in the event’s history, will start their campaign on Oct 4 in Sylhet against Qualifier 1.

Top two teams from Group A and Group B will qualify for the semifinals, scheduled for Oct 17 in Sylhet, and Oct 18 in Dhaka. The T20 World Cup champions will be crowned at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on Oct 20.

There will be 10 warm-up matches from Sept 27 to Oct 1, all taking place at BKSP in Dhaka. Qualifiers 1 and 2 for the mega event will emerge from the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi, UAE, with the final being played on May 7.

The winners of semifinal matches in the qualifiers between Sri Lanka, UAE, Ireland and Scotland will claim the last spots for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.

“We are thrilled to announce the fixture schedule for the ninth ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. It will be great to have an ICC World Cup back in Bangladesh, a country with such a large and passionate fan base who will be able to enjoy an ICC event first-hand.

“We have seen the impact and success of each of the Women’s World Cups over the last few years, building significant momentum for women’s sport. This Women’s T20 World Cup has the potential to transform women’s cricket in Bangladesh, whilst creating a new generation of fans and participants across the globe.

As a strategic priority, we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on and off the field in South Asia and across the world,” concluded Geoff Allardice, ICC CEO.

(Source: IANS)

-Edited for style

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