The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is ready to kick off, with the ninth edition of the tournament being hosted in the United Arab Emirates from October 3 to October 20. This article highlights 10 essential facts about the event, which has been moved from Bangladesh to the UAE.
Teams and Groups for the 2024 Edition
The tournament remains limited to 10 teams, unlike the expanded men’s edition. Group A includes Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Group B consists of Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa, and the West Indies. Matches will be held across two venues: Dubai and Sharjah.
Tournament History and Australia’s Dominance
This marks the ninth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, with Australia being the dominant force, having won the title six times, including the last three consecutive tournaments. England won the inaugural edition in 2009, while West Indies famously claimed victory in 2016 at Eden Gardens.
Equal Prize Money for the First Time
For the first time in ICC event history, women’s teams will receive equal prize money as their male counterparts. The winners will be awarded USD 2.34 million, significantly higher than the USD 1 million awarded in 2023. The runners-up will also receive an increased prize of USD 1.17 million. This decision, announced in July 2023, aims to promote gender equality in the sport.
Officials, Broadcasting, and Venues
The tournament features an all-female panel of 10 umpires and three match referees, including India’s GS Lakshmi and umpire Vrinda Rathi. The Decision Review System (DRS) will be available for all 28 matches, using the Hawk-eye Smart Replay system. Matches will be broadcast on Star Sports in India, with Disney+ Hotstar providing online streaming. Day games will start at 3:30 pm IST, and evening matches will commence at 7:30 pm IST. The tournament will take place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Stadium, with the final set for October 20 in Dubai.
