ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off in style with Captains' Day

Catch the fun-filled behind-the-scenes of India's media day before the Women's T20 World Cup 2024. 

Captains' Day Kicks Off ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

The ten captains gathered in Dubai to mark the opening of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, setting an energetic tone for the tournament. The event commences on October 3, featuring host nation Bangladesh facing Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Leading the charge was Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana, who expressed her excitement for the tournament, emphasizing the importance of fan engagement. “We are fortunate to contribute to an event that brings joy to fans, families, and friends,” Sultana stated. “Given the significant Bangladeshi community in Sharjah, I expect a large turnout to support us.”

In a unique twist, the ICC invited each captain to individually showcase their enthusiasm for the tournament against the iconic backdrop of the Dubai Frame, a symbol of the UAE’s landscape. The photos were expertly captured by Tina Patni, a renowned Dubai-based photographer celebrated for her work in luxury fashion and editorial photography.

Special Panel Session

A special panel session featuring all ten captains took place during Captains’ Day, hosted by Melanie Jones. This provided fans with insights into the captains’ strategies and aspirations. Australia’s Alyssa Healy represented her team, with ambitions of securing a fourth consecutive T20 World Cup title. “There are ten teams here today that deserve to be in this tournament and have a genuine chance of winning,” Healy remarked. “Our approach is to win, not defend, and we are ready for the challenges ahead.”

Australia enters the tournament after winning both their warm-up matches, but they face stiff competition in Group A, which includes India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka.

Group Insights

India, ranked third in the world, aims for their first ICC World Cup title after finishing as runners-up three times in previous tournaments. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s team has reached the semi-finals in the last three T20 World Cups, demonstrating their consistent performance.

England’s Heather Knight, the top-ranked team in Group B, joined Sultana at the event and spoke about the evolving nature of captaincy. “Captaincy is always a challenge, but with experience, I’ve learned to communicate my messages more effectively using the strengths of my team,” Knight explained.

Tournament Overview

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will feature 23 matches over 18 days, hosted in Dubai and Sharjah. Fans can purchase tickets online or directly at the stadiums. For more information on ticket sales, please visit the official website.