The ninth edition of the Women’s Asia Cup kicks off on Friday, July 19, in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, with defending champions India set to begin their campaign against Pakistan on the opening night. Earlier in the day, the UAE will face Nepal in the tournament opener, reports Live Cricket Score.
Here’s everything you need to know about this prestigious tournament:
Tournament Overview:
The Women’s Asia Cup has been played in the T20 format since 2012 and will take place in Sri Lanka from July 19 to July 28. All 15 matches will be held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. This tournament serves as a warm-up for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, allowing teams to fine-tune their strategies.
T20I Status:
Yes, all matches in the Women’s Asia Cup hold T20I status. Following the ICC’s April 2018 ruling that granted T20I status to all its members, every match in the tournament has been classified as a T20I since Malaysia 2018.
Participating Teams:
Eight teams are competing this year, an increase from the seven teams in the last edition. The expanded field includes all previous top teams and four new entrants: Nepal and Thailand, returning after a significant gap. India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have qualified automatically based on their ICC full membership status.
Format Changes:
The tournament will revert to a group format, featuring a single round-robin stage. India is in Group A with Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal. Group B includes hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, scheduled for July 26, with the final set for July 28.
India’s Chances:
India, with seven titles in eight editions, is once again favourites. They have been impressive, including a 5-0 series win against Bangladesh and a strong performance in the T20I series against South Africa. The team, led by vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and spearheaded by Pooja Vastrakar, appears well-prepared. However, their fielding remains a concern.
Key Contenders:
With a strong record this year, Sri Lanka, including a series win in South Africa and an unbeaten run in the T20 World Cup qualifier, could challenge India. Their captain, Chamari Athapaththu, is in superb form and is supported by emerging talents like Kavisha Dihari and Vishmi Gunaratane.
Pakistan and Bangladesh, on the other hand, have faced batting inconsistencies. Despite recent successes like a series win against South Africa and a surprise victory over New Zealand, Pakistan has struggled recently. Bangladesh is welcoming back experienced players Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam after a hiatus.
Personnel Changes:
India’s squad remains consistent with no significant changes. Pakistan has bid farewell to veterans Bismah Maroof and Javeria Khan, while Bangladesh reintroduces Rumana Ahmed and Jahanara Alam. Thailand faces challenges with critical players like Sornnarin Tippoch retired and Natthakan Chatham and Naruemol Chaiwai injured.
This tournament is a thrilling contest with several strong teams vying for the title.
