The inaugural edition of the tournament, launched by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2023 and hosted in South Africa from January 14 to January 29, was a resounding success. Several players who participated went on to represent their senior teams at the international level. India, under skipper Shafali Verma, secured the title by defeating England, led by Grace Scrivens, in the final by seven wickets, making history as the first champions of this prestigious event.

The first edition also showcased the involvement of multiple female representatives in coaching roles. Former Indian all-rounder Nooshin Al Khadeer played a pivotal role in guiding India to its first-ever ICC title in women’s cricket. Other notable female coaches included Dinesha Devnarain, head coach of the South African team; Sashikala Siriwardene, head coach of Sri Lanka; Sarah Aley and Erin Osborne from Australia; Laura Marsh in England’s setup; and Sara McGlashan, head coach of New Zealand.
The ICC has actively promoted the involvement of women in coaching through initiatives like the 100% Cricket Future Leaders Programme. This initiative focuses on engaging aspiring female coaches by offering practical coaching experiences and mentorship to develop their skills. Snehal Pradhan, Manager of Women’s Cricket at the ICC, shared the program’s vision:
“Our objective is to increase the number of head coaches. While many women begin as assistant coaches, with our support and interventions, we aim to upskill them to take on head coach roles for future tournaments.”
The 2nd edition of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, set to take place in Malaysia from January 18, 2025, will see an increase in female coaching representation. The number of female head coaches has risen from 5 to 7, and the overall female involvement in coaching roles has grown from 12 to 20.
Among the notable appointments, former South African wicketkeeper-batter Trisha Chetty joins the Proteas’ coaching setup alongside Dinesha Devnarain, Marcia Letsoalo, and Angelique Taai. England’s former all-rounder Beth Morgan and Australia’s former batter Lisa Keightley will be key additions to their respective teams’ coaching staff. Kristen Beams will head the Australian coaching team, Sara McGlashan will continue to guide New Zealand, Kari Carswell will coach Scotland, and Tuaoloa Helen Semau will lead Samoa.
A total of 16 teams—India, Australia, England, Ireland, Bangladesh, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Nepal, Nigeria, Samoa, New Zealand, Scotland, USA, and hosts Malaysia—will compete in the tournament. These teams are divided into four groups: A, B, C, and D.
The tournament opener on January 18, 2025, at the YSD-UKM Cricket Oval in Bangi will feature Australia, led by Lucy Hamilton, against Scotland, captained by Niamh Muir. The opening day will host six matches, including:
- England vs. Ireland: Abi Norgrove vs. Niamh MacNulty
- Nigeria vs. Samoa: Lucky Piety vs. Avetia Mapu
- Bangladesh vs. Nepal: Sumaiya Akter vs. Puja Mahato
- Pakistan vs. USA: Komal Khan vs. Anika Kolan
- New Zealand vs. South Africa: Tash Wakelin vs. Kayla Reyneke
The tournament culminates on February 2, 2025, with the final scheduled at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur at 12 PM IST.
This edition promises to be a significant milestone in promoting female leadership in cricket while further strengthening the foundation of women’s cricket globally.
(Quotes sourced from ICC Press Release)

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