The ninth edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will begin on October 3 in the UAE, with 10 teams participating. Originally scheduled to be held in Bangladesh, the tournament was moved to the UAE due to the political situation in Bangladesh. Dubai and Sharjah will now host the 23 matches, which will run until October 20.
The matches will take place at Dubai International Cricket Stadium and Sharjah Cricket Stadium—two venues that have only hosted 15 women’s T20 Internationals (W-T20Is) to date. Neither India, Australia, nor England have played a W-T20I at these venues before. Pakistan, with 10 matches, has the most experience here, followed by New Zealand (4), Sri Lanka (3), and South Africa (3). However, all these teams have played only in Sharjah.
Dubai International Cricket Stadium
This will be the first time that top-ranked women’s teams play at Dubai International Cricket Stadium. A total of 12 matches will be held at this venue, including the marquee India vs. Pakistan clash, the first semifinal, and the final. Nine of the 12 matches will be played under lights. Dubai has a history of dew affecting night games, particularly in the second innings.
Since 2020, out of 81 T20 matches played at night in Dubai, only 14 teams have opted to bat first, winning six times, losing seven, and with one match ending in a tie. This suggests a significant advantage for teams chasing. India’s match against Pakistan will be played during the day, but its games against New Zealand and Sri Lanka at this venue will take place at night.
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Sharjah will host 11 matches during the World Cup, including the India vs. Australia clash and the second semifinal. Seven of these matches will be played under lights. Like Dubai, Sharjah has a record favoring teams that chase. Out of 52 T20 matches played at night since 2020, teams have chosen to bat first on only 17 occasions, with the result being 10 losses and 7 wins.
India’s only league match at Sharjah will also be played at night.
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