We are inching closer to what can bes called as a pinnacle event as far as T20I cricket is concerned, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The upcoming edition is the 9th edition of the tournament, since it’s inception in the year 2009. The tournament is set to commence on 3rd October 2024 and conclude on 20th October 2024, this year.
It was earlier set to be hosted by Bangladesh, however, we have witnessed a last minute change as a result of a political turmoil in Bangladesh. The hosting rights of the tournament has now been handed over to the United Arab Emirates in the wake of the unforeseen circumstances.
In this article, we will have a look at the youngest captains to lead their country at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup over the years.
Youngest Captains in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup [As on 3rd October 2024].
Meg Lanning (Australia) [21 Years and 363 days, 2014]:
The former Australian wicket-keeper batter Jodie Fields who led Australia to their 2nd T20I World Cup title in the year 2012, was replaced at the helm by a young sensation Meg Lanning in the 4th edition of the tournament in 2014, hosted by Bangladesh. She not only lived up to the legacy but also raised the standard and the brand of cricket played by Australia.
She not only defended the title, but also led her side to glory four times, including a hat trick of titles in 2018, 2020, and 2023, taking Australia’s title tally to 6 as far as T20I format is concerned. She formed a legacy of her own, establishing herself as arguably one of the “Greatest Captains Of All Time” in Women’s Cricket. However, as we are on the verge of the 9th edition of the tournament, Australia will be without her services courtesy of her International retirement from the sport on 9th November 2023.
Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) [22 Years and 294 days, 2014]:
The former West Indian wicket-keeper batter Merissa Aguilleira was replaced by a 22-year-old young sensation from the Caribbean Stafanie Taylor in the 4th edition of the tournament in the year 2014. She immediately impressed the cricket fraternity with her leadership skills by leading her side to their first-ever appearance in a T20 World Cup semi-final. However, they eventually ended up on the losing side by a small 8-run margin against Australia in the 1st semi-final. They had an impressive campaign, finishing 2nd on the points table in Group B with six points from four games. Their only defeat in the league stages came against India in their last league game.
One of the highlights of Stafanie Taylor’s leadership stint for the West Indies was when she led her side to a historic ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title triumph in India in the year 2016. She was literally at the peak of her powers. They defeated the mighty Australians in the final by 8 wickets to clinch their maiden T20 World Cup title. They had an impressive campaign in the league stages finishing 2nd on the points table with six points from four games. Their solitary defeat came against England in the league stages of the tournament. They also went on to defeat New Zealand in the 2nd semi-final by six runs before stunning the Aussies in the final.
The Stafanie Taylor-led side also went on to make another semi-final appearance in the year 2018 in home conditions. Yet again they had a sensational campaign, topping the table in Group A with 8 points from 4 games, staying unbeaten in the league stages. This time around, the Australians returned the favour against the defending champions. They were thrashed out of the tournament courtesy of a 71-run defeat in the first semi-final against Australia.
Fatima Sana (Pakistan) [22 Years and 325 days, 2024]:
The veteran 37-year-old all-rounder Nida Dar was recently replaced by a young 22-year-old all-round sensation, Fatima Sana ahead of the upcoming 9th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The tournament will commence on 3rd October 2024 and conclude on 20th October 2024.
Pakistan would be hoping that a change in leadership could potentially bring in the change in fortunes for their side as far as their performances in the T20 World Cups over the years are concerned. As far as her captaincy stint is concerned, she led her side to a memorable away victory, prevailing in a super over against New Zealand in December last year, albeit in the ODI format. Can Fatima Sana lead her side to the new era ? well it is a thing we need to wait and watch.
Jahanara Alam (Bangladesh) [22 Years and 349 days, 2016]:
The veteran 33-year-old all-rounder Salma Khatun was replaced by a young 22-year-old pace-bowling sensation, Jahanara Alam in the 5th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2016, hosted by India. However, she failed to live up to the expectations as Bangladesh failed to get a victory under their belt from four games. As a result, they finished at the bottom of the points table in Group B.
Mignon du Preez (South Africa) [23 Years and 105 days, 2012]:
The former 39-year-old batting all-rounder Shandre Fritz was replaced by a 23-year-old youngster Mignon du Preez as the skipper of the side in the 3rd edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2012, hosted by Sri Lanka. However, she was unable to live up to the expectations which was evident in her side’s performance as they had a forgettable tournament, after a promising start. They finished at the bottom of the points table with just two points from three games, ensuring a group stage exit for the Proteas. Their only victory of the campaign came against the hosts, Sri Lanka (by six wickets) in their first game of the tournament.
However, she was quick to improve and learn from her experiences as she seemed to have come to terms with the leadership role. A confident skipper resulted in a much better show from the Proteas in the following 4th edition of the tournament. They had an impressive campaign as they finished 2nd on the points table in Group A with six points from four games. Their only defeat in the campaign came against Australia (by six wickets) in the league stages.
She bounced back in style as she went on to lead her side to their first-ever appearance in the semi-final. They were up against England in the 2nd semi-final at Mirpur. However, they ended up on the losing side courtesy of a nine-wicket hammering.
In the year 2016, they suffered yet another group stage exit, as they finished 4th on the points table with two points from four games. Their only victory in the campaign came against Ireland (by 67 runs) in the league stages of the tournament.
Note: As of 26th August 2024, Fatima Sana from Pakistan is the 2nd youngest and Stafanie Taylor from the West Indies is the 3rd youngest captain to lead their side in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.