The fixtures for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, announced on May 5, set the stage for an exciting competition. Commencing in Dhaka on October 3, the tournament will unfold over 19 days, featuring 10 teams competing in 23 matches, with the final being played on October 20 at the Sylhet International Stadium, Bangladesh.
Group A comprises Australia, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan, while Group B consists of South Africa, England, West Indies, and the host nation, Bangladesh. From the Global Qualifier, Scotland and Sri Lanka have also advanced to the competition.
Following the unveiling of the tournament schedule, let’s delve into some marquee rivalries
England v South Africa, 3 October, Dhaka
The last encounter between these two giants in the T20 format was a riveting semi-final match during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023. This intense showdown witnessed the Proteas narrowly defeating England by six runs, propelling them to their inaugural World Cup final.
Historically, South Africa has only managed to beat England four times out of twenty-four Women’s T20Is. Many key players from last year’s memorable semi-final match are likely to feature when these teams face off again in the opening game of the 2024 event in Dhaka.
India v Pakistan, 6 October, Sylhet
The much-anticipated clash between prime antagonists India and Pakistan will face off in the first-weekend match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for a Sunday showdown. Despite India’s dominance in the head-to-head record in Women’s T20Is against Pakistan, with India emerging victorious in 11 out of 14 matches, while Pakistan has secured three wins, the latter posed a significant threat in the tournament in the ’23 edition.
It was Jemimah Rodrigues’ unbeaten half-century that ultimately steered India to victory with an over to spare. Notably, India’s last loss to Pakistan in a women’s T20I occurred in Bangladesh during the 2022 Asia Cup.
Australia v New Zealand, 11 October, Sylhet
The White Ferns hold the distinction of being the team with the most victories over Australia in Women’s T20Is, boasting 21 wins against the six-time T20 World Cup champions. This sets the stage for the renowned Trans-Tasman rivalry. Out of 48 encounters between the two teams, Australia has emerged victorious 25 times, while New Zealand has clinched victory on 21 occasions. In their clash at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia dominated, securing a 97-run victory by bowling out the White Ferns for 76 runs, with Ashleigh Gardner claiming a five-wicket haul.
Despite Australia’s dominance, they have faced setbacks in recent matches, losing two out of their last five T20Is against the White Ferns. As they prepare to face each other once again on the global stage, all eyes will be on New Zealand’s formidable batting lineup and whether they can challenge the Aussies who have recently dominated the three-match series with a whitewash against Bangladesh at the same World Cup venues.
India v Australia, 13 October, Sylhet
India and Australia have faced off in the final of two significant women’s events since 2020, the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022 and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final in 2020, as a result of India’s quick rise to prominence in women’s cricket in 2020. Even though Australia won both times, India has demonstrated some competitiveness in recent games against the strong Australian squad. India lost to Australia in the Commonwealth Games final by a mere nine runs but put up a spirited fight. Not to forget the 2023 T20 World Cup Semi-Final as well, where India came very close to victory, but it wasn’t to be. India has won seven of their 34 matches against Australia, while Australia has dominated with 25 victories.