The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with Bangladesh taking on debutant Scotland in the opening match at 4 PM local time at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
On the same day, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in the other opening fixture at 8 pm at the same venue.
Bangladesh holds a strong record against Scotland, having won all four previous T20 encounters, the latest of which took place on September 22.
Initially, the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 was scheduled to be held in Bangladesh. However, due to political instability, the International Cricket Council (ICC) decided to relocate the tournament to the UAE. The matches will be played across Dubai and Sharjah from October 3 to October 20.
Bangladesh has been placed in Group B alongside England, South Africa, West Indies, and Scotland. Group A features Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. In their remaining Group B fixtures, Bangladesh will face England on October 5 and West Indies on October 10, both in Sharjah, and South Africa on October 12 in Dubai.
The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals. The first semifinal will be held on October 17 in Dubai, followed by the second semifinal on October 18 in Sharjah. The final is set for October 20 in Dubai.
In the pre-tournament warm-up matches, Bangladesh defeated Pakistan by 23 runs but lost to Sri Lanka by 33 runs. Meanwhile, Scotland claimed a victory over Pakistan by eight wickets but lost to Sri Lanka by five wickets.
Bangladesh, led by Nigar Sultana Jyoti, aims to break their winless streak in World Cup matches dating back to 2014, which was also the last time they hosted the tournament. The team is determined to secure at least one win in this edition.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced the squad for the Women's T20 World Cup 2024, including new face Disha Biswas. Five players from the previous squad—Rumana Ahmed, Rubya Haider, Shorifa Khatun, Sabikun Nahar, and Ishma Tanjim—were dropped, and replaced by Sobhana Mostary, Fahima Khatun, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani, and Disha Biswas.
Bangladesh squad for ICC Women's T20 World Cup: Nigar Sultana (captain), Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Sobhana Mostary, Rabeya Khan, Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, Marufa Akter, Jahanara Alam, Dilara Akter, Taj Nehar, Shathi Rani and Disha Biswas.
