UAE, Kuwait, Nepal, and Thailand vie for top spot to qualify for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
Hosts UAE, Kuwait, Nepal, and Thailand will compete in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2024, taking place at the Seven District Sports Club in Ajman, UAE, from November 6 to November 13, 2024. The top team in this eight-day series will earn a place in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, set for Malaysia.
Tournament Format
In a double-league format, each of the four teams will play six matches, facing each opponent twice. Two games will be held daily, with the first match starting at 9:30 am and the second at 1:30 pm. Hosts UAE will face Kuwait in the opening game on November 6 at 9:30 am.
Intense competition is anticipated as teams vie for the top spot to secure their place in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, scheduled from January 18 to February 2, 2025, in Malaysia. India, the defending champions, clinched the inaugural edition by defeating England by seven wickets in the final held in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on January 29, 2023.
The winner of the Asia Qualifier will join four other regional qualifier teams already secured for the World Cup: Nigeria from Africa, Samoa from East Asia Pacific, and Scotland from Europe. The United States has automatically qualified as the sole team in its region meeting the qualification pathway criteria. The 10 full-member teams from the 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup have direct entry.
The Asia Qualifier champion will join Australia, Bangladesh, and Scotland in Group D. Sixteen teams are divided into four groups for the 2025 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
For the Asia Qualifier, Nepal’s team is captained by Puja Mahato, a top performer in the senior team, with Sony Pakhrin as vice captain. Key players include Jyotsnika Marasini, Krishma Gurung, Sabitri Dhami, Sana Praveen, Kusum Godar, and Seema KC.
The UAE will be led by Samaira Dharnidharka, a leading bowler for the senior team, with Emily Thomas as wicketkeeper.
Thailand is captained by Aphisara Suwanchonrath, who debuted in the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup and played her first T20 international against Pakistan. Key players include wicketkeeper batters Yanathip Takunsi, Phatthanan Phinkaeo, and Phichamon Darajaroen.
Kuwait’s captain, Zeefa Jilani, debuted in Women’s T20 Internationals at 12 in the 2019 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Region Qualifier in Bangkok. She holds a record for most catches in WT20Is, with four in the 2023 Women’s T20 Quadrangular series against Hong Kong. Eshanvi Mohan Singh will serve as the team’s wicketkeeper.
Team Squads
• Nepal: Puja Mahato (Captain), Sony Pakhrin, Alisha Kumari Yadav (wk), Sana Praveen, Jyotsnika Marasini, Krishma Gurung, Sabitri Dhami (wk), Kusum Godar, Manisha Kumari Updhayay, Riya Sharma, Trisana Bishwokarma, Sneha Mahara, Rachanna Kumari Chaudhary, Seema KC.
• UAE: Samaira Dharnidharka (Captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Ameya Santosh, Ananya Pravin Keny, Avanee Sunil Patil, Ayushi Mahesh, Emily Thomas (wk), Indhuja Nandakumar, Lavanya Keny, Malavika Rajeev, Mehak Thakur, Neha Kumari, Rinitha Rajith, Rishitha Rajith.
• Kuwait: Zeefa Jilani (Captain), Fiona Melvo Warnakulasuriya, Raelyn Maria D’Souza, Candice Jerica Dias, Eshanvi Mohan Singh (wk), Ayesh Iqbal Pewekar, Ziniya Afroz, Ameesha Ram Olacheri, Amanpreet, Khadija Khalid Ahmed Kadri, Khadija Jahir Hussain, Sarrah Jasvi, Swatiba Kuldeepsinh Parmar, Pearl Serena Simon.
• Thailand: Aphisara Suwanchonrath (Captain), Nattharika Thokoi, Charukan Saema, Saithan Khanthachai, Yanathip Takunsi (wk), Phatthanan Phinkaeo (wk), Saranrat Thaonanthasathian, Sunisa Bongkodphongampai, Arrikan Phuengkho, Kesinee Kaewjumphol, Phichamon Darajaroen (wk), Kewarin Saechao, Koranit Suwanchonrathi, Chanoknan Phanao.
Match Schedule
• November 6: 9.30 am: UAE vs Kuwait, 1.30 pm: Nepal vs Thailand
• November 7: 9.30 am: Kuwait vs Nepal, 1.30 pm: Thailand vs UAE
• November 8: Rest/Reserve day
• November 9: 9.30 am: UAE vs Nepal, 1.30 pm: Thailand vs Kuwait
• November 10: 9.30 am: Kuwait vs UAE, 1.30 pm: Thailand vs Nepal
• November 11: Rest/Reserve day
• November 12: 9.30 am: Nepal vs Kuwait, 1.30 pm: UAE vs Thailand
• November 13: 9.30 am: Kuwait vs Thailand, 1.30 pm: Nepal vs UAE
How to watch the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2024?
All the matches of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2024 will be streamed live on ICC TV, accessible on mobile apps, and via the website on PCs. In India, fans can also watch the games on the FanCode app and website. Further updates on streaming details will be provided here as available.
