The inaugural ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 is set to kick off on December 15, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This exciting tournament, organized by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), will run until December 22 and feature six teams competing in a total of 12 T20 matches. The event not only aims to promote women’s cricket in the region but also serves as a preparatory platform for the upcoming ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025.
A competitive line-up in the competition
The tournament will showcase a diverse range of talent from across Asia. The six participating teams include four full members of the Asian Cricket Council: Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, along with the host nation Malaysia and Nepal, who qualified by winning the Women’s U19 Asia Qualifier 2025.
Group divisions
The teams have been divided into two groups:
- Group A: Bangladesh, Malaysia, Sri Lanka
- Group B: India, Pakistan, Nepal
Each team will play against every other team in their group once in a single round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will advance to the Super Four stage, while the bottom-placed teams will compete for fifth and sixth place.
Captains at the helm in Group A
Leadership plays a crucial role in any tournament. For India, Niki Prasad will captain the squad with Sanika Chalke serving as vice-captain. Other notable captains include Sumaiya Akter for Bangladesh and Zoofishan Ayyaz for Pakistan. Leadership experience will be pivotal as these young athletes compete on an international stage.
Fixtures and venue
All matches will take place at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, with match timings set in Indian Standard Time (IST). Here’s a look at the schedule:
December 15:
- Sri Lanka Women U19 vs Malaysia Women U19 – 7:00 AM
- India Women U19 vs Pakistan Women U19 – 11:30 AM
December 16:
- Sri Lanka Women U19 vs Bangladesh Women U19 – 7:00 AM
- Pakistan U19 vs Nepal Women U19 – 11:30 AM
December 17:
- Bangladesh Women U19 vs Malaysia Women U19 – 7:00 AM
- India Women U19 vs Nepal Women U19 – 11:30 AM
December 18:
- 5/6th Place Playoff – 11:30 AM
December 19 & 20:
- Super Four matches at various times (7:00 AM & 11:30 AM)
December 22:
Also READ: Ireland announces squad for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
Broadcast and Live Streaming
The ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 will be broadcast live on the Sony Sports Ten 5 and Sony Sports Ten 5 HD channels in India. For those looking to watch online, the live streaming of the tournament will be accessible through the SonyLIV app and website in India.
Squads
Bangladesh Women U19 squad: Sumaiya Akter (c), Afia Ashima Era (vc), Mst Eva, Fahomida Choya, Habiba Islam Pinky, Juairiya Ferdous, Fariya Akter, Farjana Easmin, Anisa Akter Soba, Sumaiya Akther Suborna, Nishita Akter Nishi, Arvin Tani, Jannatul Maoua, Sadia Akter, Maharun Nesa
India Women U19 squad: Niki Prasad (c), Sanika Chalke (vc), G Trisha, Kamalini G (wk), Bhavika Ahire (wk), Ishawari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Nandhana S
Nepal Women U19 squad: Puja Mahato (c), Soni Pakhrin, Sana Praveen, Jyotsnika Marasini, Kusum Godar, Sabitri Dhami, Krishma Gurung, Riya Sharma, Rachana Chaudhary, Seemana KC, Sneha Mahara, Alisha Kumari Yadav, Trishana BK, Kiran Kumari Kunwar, Anu Kadayat
Pakistan Women U19 squad: Zoofishan Ayyaz (c), Areesha Ansari, Fizza Fiaz, Maham Anees, Ravail Farhan, Komal Khan, Wasifa Hussain, Aleesa Mukhtiar, Quratulain, Rozina Akram, Tayyaba Imdad, Fatima Khan, Haniah Ahmer, Mahnoor Zeb, Shahar Bano
Sri Lanka Women U19 squad: Manudi Nanayakkara (c), Rashmika Sewwandi (vc), Vimoksha Balasooriya, Hiruni Hansika, Sumudu Nisansala , Dahami Sanuthma, Rashmi Nethranjali, Sashini Gimhani, Asheni Thalagune, Pramudi Methsara, Chamodi Praboda, Sanjana Kavindi, Dunuli Tennekoon, Limansa Tilekerane, Shehara Induwari
Malaysia Women U19 squad: Nur Dania Syuhada Binti Abedul Samad (c), Marsya Qistina Binti Abdullah, Irdina Beh Binti Nabil, Nur Izzatul Syafiqa Binti Fajrol’as, Nuriman Hidayah Binti Halid, Suabika Manivannan, Nur Isma Dania Binti Mohd Daniel, Nur Aliya Binti Mohd Hairun, Siti Nazwah Alyazis, Nur Alya Batrisyia Binti Normizan, Fatin Faqihah Adani Rohizan, Neserle Yean Alik, Nazatul Hidayah Husna Binti Razali, Nuni Farini Binti Mohd Safry, and Nur Ain Binti Roslan.
Also READ: 15-year-old Caoimhe Bray earns spot as Australia announces U19 squad for Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.