The inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, held in 2023, marked a significant milestone in the history of women’s cricket. Originally scheduled for January 2021 in Bangladesh, the tournament was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and ultimately took place in South Africa. Despite these changes, the event proved to be a resounding success, creating a strong foundation for future editions.
A Unique Opportunity for South Africa
The unexpected shift in venue and timing offered South Africa a rare opportunity to host two consecutive global women’s cricket events. The U19 tournament in January was followed by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup a month later. Snehal Pradhan, Manager of Women’s Cricket at the ICC, highlighted how this sequence boosted women’s cricket in the region.
“It created momentum with the Under-19 World Cup starting to create awareness around women’s cricket in the country, which was capitalised upon with the Women’s T20 World Cup that culminated in a sell-out crowd in Newlands,” Pradhan explained.
Pioneering Parity and Opportunity
The inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup underscored the ICC’s commitment to gender parity, matching the men’s cricket calendar with equivalent women’s events. Pradhan credited the vision of her predecessors and the ICC events team for championing this initiative.
“Having this Under-19 tournament meant there was parity between the men’s and women’s events,” she said. “The ambition was to drive change in member countries and build junior pathways, and that’s exactly what we saw.”
Thrilling Cricket and Emerging Stars
The tournament delivered high-quality cricket and surprises from the outset. Bangladesh stunned Australia in the opening match, setting the tone for an unpredictable and exciting competition. India’s squad, featuring senior internationals Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh, showcased both experienced and emerging talent. Verma captained the side, leading them to their first ICC women’s title.
Pradhan praised the tournament’s dual role in nurturing new talent and providing a platform for established stars. “For someone like Shafali Verma, leading the team was fantastic. It’s huge for the tournament to produce stars but also have stars coming in,” she said.
India’s journey to the title was dramatic, overcoming a loss to Australia in the Super 6 stage to defeat New Zealand in the semi-finals and England in the final. Meanwhile, players like Georgia Plimmer of New Zealand and Theertha Satish of the UAE used the tournament as a springboard to senior international success.
Innovations and Global Impact
The ICC introduced social media protection measures for female cricketers during the tournament, reflecting a broader commitment to player welfare. Additionally, the participation of 16 teams made this the largest women’s event ever organised by the ICC, signaling the growing global reach of women’s cricket.
Building on Success in Malaysia
The next edition of the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, set to be held in Malaysia, aims to build on the success of the inaugural tournament. Pradhan expressed confidence in the event’s lasting impact.
“It was a fantastic success. It was a commitment to equity and a leap of faith,” she said. “Having 16 teams was a fantastic starting point, and this will drive more progress in those countries.”
As the tournament continues to evolve, it promises to be a catalyst for the development of women’s cricket worldwide, inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
