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Defending champions India have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Malaysia, the West Indies & Sri Lanka for the upcoming 2025 ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup. Sixteen teams will be vying for the title in the second edition of the tournament which is all set to kick-off on January 18, 2025. The participating nations have been divided into four groups, with each group comprising four teams.
A total of 41 matches will take place across four different venues in Malaysia, with the final slated to be held on February 2, 2025. While the Bayuemas Oval in Selangor will host all Group A games and also the final, the Dato' Dr. Harjit Singh Johor Cricket Academy (JCA Oval) in Johor will play host to the Group B matches. Meanwhile, all Group C clashes will happen at the Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak with the Group D encounters scheduled to take place at the UKM YSD Oval in Selangor.
Shafali Verma-led India won the inaugural edition last year, defeating England in the final
England are placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Ireland and the USA. Group C features Samoa, New Zealand, South Africa and an African qualifier, while Group D will witness Australia going head-to-head against Bangladesh, Scotland and an Asian qualifier.
Sixteen warm-up matches have been scheduled from January 13 to 16, 2025 before the main event commences. Acknowledging the success of the first edition which took place in South Africa, ICC CEO Geoff Allardice stated that it is a unique opportunity to introduce their vast global audiences to the future stars of the sport. He said (as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo):
"This is a special event to the ICC and forms an important part of our Global Growth Strategy of raising the profile of women's cricket and further growing the game around the world. It is also a unique opportunity to introduce our vast global audiences to the future stars of the sport. We look forward to building on the success from the foundation laid at the inaugural event in South Africa in 2023."
India, led by Shafali Verma, won the 2023 ICC U19 Women's T20 WC defeating England by seven wickets in the final at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom in January last year. Having bowled England out for just 68 runs in the title decider, the Indian betters achieved the target in 14 overs for the loss of three wickets.
While India's Shweta Sehrawat emerged as the highest run-getter with 297 runs to her name, Australia's Maggie Clark topped the bowling charts with 12 scalps. England's Grace Scrivens was adjudged Player of the Tournament.
Excited about the hosting opportunity, an immensely proud tournament director, Dinesh Muthuraman, said (as quoted by ESPN Cricinfo):
"Malaysia is proud to host the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup in 2025, continuing our tradition of supporting the growth of cricket on the global stage. Women's cricket is experiencing unprecedented growth both in Malaysia and around the world. We are fully confident that this World Cup will further accelerate that momentum, leading to significant developments in the sport, especially for women's cricket."
The last time Malaysia hosted an ICC U19 event - the Men's U19 Cricket World Cup in March 2008, Virat Kohli's men lifted the title. India defeated South Africa by 12 runs (D/L method) in the final at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
