The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the schedule for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024, set to occur in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from April 25 to May 7. This qualifying tournament will witness ten teams fiercely competing for two coveted spots in the Women's T20 World Cup, which is slated to be held in Bangladesh later this year.
The participating teams have been divided into two groups of five, where the top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals on May 5. The winners of the semifinals will secure their places in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, joining the hosts Bangladesh, alongside Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, and West Indies.
Chris Tetley, the ICC Head of Events, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming qualifier, emphasizing the highly competitive and exciting nature of the event. Given the tremendous success of the previous Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa, which captivated a growing fan base and increased engagement with the women's game, anticipation is building for another thrilling edition. The participating teams are sure to have a phenomenal experience in the United Arab Emirates, thanks to the support and partnership of the Emirates Cricket Board, who are renowned for their exceptional hosting capabilities.
The participating teams have been categorized into two groups. Group A features Scotland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, and the USA while Group B consists of Ireland, Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe. Such an astonishing mix of teams assures a fascinating display of talent on the field and fierce competition as each team would be vying to secure their spot in the World Cup.
The tournament showcases eight teams from the five ICC Global Development Regions, along with Ireland and Sri Lanka, who missed out on automatic qualification for this year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup as they did not secure a place in the top six during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 in South Africa.
The Qualifier will be held across two venues in Abu Dhabi, namely the Zayed Cricket Stadium and Tolerance Oval, both part of the vibrant Abu Dhabi Cricket and Sports Hub. In addition, the Mohan Oval, located in the same vicinity, will host two warm-up matches on April 21 and 23, creating an exciting atmosphere leading up to the main event. The competition will commence on the opening day, with thrilling matches between Sri Lanka and Thailand at Tolerance Oval, as well as Scotland and Uganda. Meanwhile, Ireland will face UAE at Zayed Cricket Stadium, while Vanuatu will lock horns with Zimbabwe. The grand finale is scheduled to take place on May 7 at the prestigious Zayed Cricket Stadium, where the ultimate champions will be crowned.
As the world gears up for this highly-anticipated tournament, cricket enthusiasts and fans are eagerly waiting to witness the hottest cricketing talent being showcased on the field. With an intense and exciting atmosphere guaranteed, the tournament is sure to be a delight to cricket fans around the world and enthrall players and teams alike.
