The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 is poised to set the Asian Women’s Cricket scene ablaze with its commencement on July 19, 2024. Hosted at the picturesque Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Sri Lanka, the tournament promises thrilling encounters, including the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan. With the full schedule released by Sri Lanka Cricket, fans are gearing up for a series of electrifying T20I matches.
Tournament Format
The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 will follow the T20I format, featuring a total of fifteen matches. The tournament will serve as a crucial preparatory event for the teams ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this year in Bangladesh. The competition structure is divided into two groups, each comprising four teams. Group A includes India, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Nepal, while Group B consists of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The matches will be played in a round-robin format within each group, followed by two semifinals and the final. All games are scheduled to take place at the Dambulla International Stadium, ensuring a consistent and vibrant atmosphere throughout the tournament.
Fixtures | Women’s Asia Cup 2024
The fixtures for the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 are as follows:
Group Stage Matches
Friday, July 19
- Group A: UAE vs. Nepal, Dambulla, 2:00 PM IST
- Group A: India vs. Pakistan, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Saturday, July 20
- Group B: Malaysia vs. Thailand, Dambulla, 2:00 PM IST
- Group B: Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Sunday, July 21
- Group A: India vs. UAE, Dambulla, 2:00 PM IST
- Group A: Pakistan vs. Nepal, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Monday, July 22
- Group B: Sri Lanka vs. Malaysia, Dambulla, 2:00 PM IST
- Group B: Bangladesh vs. Thailand, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Tuesday, July 23
- Group A: Pakistan vs. UAE, Dambulla, 2:00 PM IST
- Group A: India vs. Nepal, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Wednesday, July 24
- Group B: Bangladesh vs. Malaysia, Dambulla, 2:00 PM IST
- Group B: Sri Lanka vs. Thailand, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Knockout Stage Matches
Friday, July 26
- Semi-final 1, Dambulla, 2:00 PM IST
- Semi-final 2, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Sunday, July 28
- Final, Dambulla, 7:00 PM IST
Team Breakdown
Group A
- India: Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, the Indian squad features prominent players like Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Deepti Sharma. The team is known for its strong batting lineup and versatile bowling attack.
- Pakistan: Under the captaincy of Nida Dar, the Pakistani team boasts players like Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, and Muneeba Ali. Pakistan’s strength lies in their all-round capabilities and dynamic fielding.
- Nepal: Indu Barma leads the Nepali team, which includes experienced players such as Rubina Chhetri and Sita Rana Magar. Nepal aims to make a mark with its balanced squad.
- UAE: Esha Oza captains the UAE side, featuring talents like Heena Hotchandani and Kavisha Kumari. The team looks to showcase their growing prowess in women’s cricket.
Group B
- Bangladesh: Captained by Nigar Sultana Joty, Bangladesh’s squad includes key players like Nahida Akter and Rumana Ahmed. The team is known for its aggressive style of play.
- Sri Lanka: The host nation, led by Chamari Athapaththu, includes players like Anushka Sanjeewani and Harshitha Samarawickrama. Sri Lanka aims to leverage home advantage to secure victories.
- Malaysia: Winifred Duraisingam leads the Malaysian team, with players like Mas Elysa and Elsa Hunter. Malaysia is focused on improving their standing in the tournament.
- Thailand: Captained by Thipatcha Putthawong, Thailand’s squad includes Nattaya Boochatham and Chanida Sutthiruang. Thailand aims to continue their progress in international cricket.
Squad Details
India’s squad remains consistent, with 15 out of 17 members having participated in the T20I series against South Africa. Pakistan’s captaincy is retained by Javeria Khan, and the squad includes players like Aroob Shah and Omaima Sohail. Bangladesh has recalled Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam for the tournament
Squad of Group A
Pakistan
- Nida Dar (c)
- Aliya Riaz
- Diana Baig
- Fatima Sana
- Gull Feroza
- Iram Javed
- Muneeba Ali
- Najiha Alvi (wk)
- Nashra Sundhu
- Omaima Sohail
- Sadia Iqbal
- Sidra Amin
- Syeda Aroob Shah
- Tasmia Rubab
- Tuba Hassan
India
- Harmanpreet Kaur (c)
- Smriti Mandhana (vc)
- Shafali Verma
- Deepti Sharma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Richa Ghosh (wk)
- Uma Chetry (wk)
- Pooja Vastrakar
- Arundhati Reddy
- Renuka Singh Thakur
- Dayalan Hemalatha
- Asha Sobhana
- Radha Yadav
- Shreyanka Patil
- Sajana Sajeevan
- Travelling reserves: Shweta Sehrawat, Saika Ishaque, Tanuja Kanwer, Meghna Singh
Nepal
- Indu Barma (c)
- Rubina Chhetri
- Sita Rana Magar
- Bindu Rawal
- Kabita Kunwar
- Puja Mahato
- Kabita Joshi
- Samjhana Khadka
- Kajol Shrestha
- Sabnam Rai
- Rajmati Airee
- Mamta Chaudhary
- Kritika Marasini
- Roma Thapa
- Dolly Bhatta
UAE
- Esha Oza (c)
- Emily Thomas (wk)
- Heena Hotchandani
- Indhuja Nandakumar
- Kavisha Kumari
- Khushi Sharma
- Lavanya Keny
- Mehak Thakur
- Rinitha Rajith
- Rithika Rajith
- Rishitha Rajith
- Samaira Dharnidharka
- Suraksha Kotte
- Theertha Satish (wk)
- Vaishnave Mahesh
Squad of Group B
Bangladesh
- Nigar Sultana Joty (c)
- Nahida Akter (vc)
- Murshida Khatun
- Dilara Akter
- Jahanara Alam
- Rumana Ahmed
- Ritu Moni
- Marufa Akter
- Shorna Akter
- Rabeya Khan
- Sultana Khatun
- Rubya Haider Jhelik
- Shorifa Khatun
- Ishma Tanjim
- Sabikun Nahar Jesmin
- Stand-by: Taj Nehar, Fahima Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Puja Chakrabortty
Sri Lanka
- Chamari Athapaththu (c)
- Anushka Sanjeewani
- Harshitha Samarawickrama
- Hasini Perera
- Ama Kanchana
- Udeshika Prabodani
- Vishmi Gunarathne
- Kawya Kavindi
- Inoshi Priyadarshani
- Sugandika Kumari
- Achini Kulasooriya
- Kaveesha Dilhari
- Nilakshi De Silva
- Sachini Nisansala
- Shashini Gimhani
Malaysia
- Winifred Duraisingam (c)
- Nur Aishah
- Aisya Eleesa
- Mas Elysa
- Ainna Hamizah Hashim
- Elsa Hunter
- Mahirah Izzati Ismail
- Wan Julia (wk)
- Suabika Manivannan
- Dhanusri Muhunan
- Irdina Beh Nabil
- Aina Najwa (wk)
- Nur Arianna Natsya
- Amalin Sorfina
- Nur Izzatul Syafiqa
Thailand
- Thipatcha Putthawong (c)
- Nattaya Boochatham
- Kanyakoran Bunthansen
- Nannaphat Chaihan
- Sunida Chaturongrattana
- Onnicha Kamchomphu Rosenanee Kanoh
- Suwanan Khiaoto (wk)
- Nannapat Koncharoenkai (wk)
- Suleeporn Laomi
- Phannita Maya
- Chayanisa Phengpaen
- Chanida Sutthiruang
- Aphisara Suwanchonrathi
- Koranit Suwanchonrathi
Key Matches to Watch
The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 promises several high-voltage matches. The opening clash between India and Pakistan on July 19 is expected to be a thrilling encounter, given the historical rivalry between the two teams. Another exciting match is Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh on July 20, where the hosts will face a strong Bangladeshi side. The semifinals and the final, scheduled for July 26 and 28 respectively, will determine the ultimate champion of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024.
Conclusion | Women’s Asia Cup 2024
The Women’s Asia Cup 2024 is set to be an exhilarating tournament, bringing together the best of Asian women’s cricket. With a robust format, a well-defined fixture list, and squads filled with talented cricketers, the tournament is sure to captivate cricket enthusiasts. As the teams battle it out in the T20 format, they will also be gearing up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup later this year in Bangladesh. Fans worldwide are eagerly awaiting the start of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024, anticipating spectacular performances and unforgettable cricketing moments.
