Australia, almost like a ritual, will head into the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup as firm favourites, but India's recent rise and England's unblemished home record mean the behemoths of women's cricket cannot take a seventh title for granted.
After devastating semifinal defeats at both the 2024 T20 World Cup and last year's 50-over tournament, Sophie Molineux and her teammates are hungry to reclaim their global supremacy.
"Australia has an amazing history in World Cups and that is something we don't forget, but it also motivates us to keep evolving rather than relying on what has been done before," Molineux said in the build-up to the showpiece.
Their biggest threat could be reigning 50-over world champions India. Bolstered by the high-octane Women's Premier League, the Indian squad under Harmanpreet Kaur is now more accustomed to playing under intense pressure and in front of massive crowds than arguably anyone else.
Meanwhile, hosts England enter with supreme confidence after sealing a big series win against India in the build-up. Crucially, England has history on its side having never lost a World Cup when playing as the tournament hosts.
South Africa, having agonisingly lost three consecutive world finals, face a tough task navigating the "group of death." But they remain formidable, reinforced by speedster Shabnim Ismail reversing her retirement to share the new ball with Marizanne Kapp under their exceptional captain, Laura Wolvaardt.
Defending champions New Zealand will look to replicate their memorable 2024 triumph, though the White Ferns' fate will hinge heavily on their "big three" of Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine and Lea Tahuhu, who are all playing in their final international tournament.
The tournament, beginning with an England vs Sri Lanka contest in Birmingham on Friday, features 12 teams split into two groups of six. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semifinals before the ultimate champion is crowned at Lord's on July 5.
HIGHLIGHTS
Groups
Group A: Australia, Bangladesh, India, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa
Group B: England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies
Bangladesh Fixtures
June 14: vs Netherlands, Edgbaston (3:30 pm)
June 17: vs Australia, Headingley (3:30 pm)
June 20: vs Pakistan, Hampshire Bowl (7:30 pm)
June 25: vs India, Old Trafford Cricket Ground (7:30 pm)
June 28: vs South Africa, Lord’s (3:30 pm)
** Fixtures in Bangladesh Time
** England is hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup for the first time since 2009. That was the inaugural edition of the tournament, which England won under the captaincy of Charlotte Edwards, who is now the team's head coach.
** This will be the 10th edition of the global event. The previous edition, held in the UAE in 2024, saw New Zealand lift the trophy for the first time, making them only the fourth team to win the tournament. England and West Indies have also won the title once each, in 2009 and 2016 respectively. Australia, meanwhile, are the most successful team in the competition’s history, having lifted the trophy six times.
** A record 12 teams will participate in this tournament, the highest number in a single edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. Hosts England secured automatic qualification, while Sri Lanka, West Indies, India, Australia, South Africa, Pakistan, and New Zealand qualified based on their rankings. Bangladesh, Scotland, Ireland, and debutants Netherlands sealed their places through the qualifying tournament earlier this year.
** The 12 teams have been divided into two groups of six. During the group stage, each team will face the others in its group in a round-robin format, after which the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals.
** A total of 33 matches will be played across seven venues in England: Old Trafford Cricket Ground in Manchester, Headingley in Leeds, Edgbaston in Birmingham, Bristol County Ground in Bristol, Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, and The Oval and Lord’s in London.
** The group stage will run from June 12 to June 28, while the two semifinals will be held at The Oval on June 30 and July 2. The final will be staged at Lord’s on July 5.
** The overall prize pool for this edition has been increased to USD 8.76 million, a 10% rise from the 2024 tournament, owing to an increase in participating teams. The winners will receive USD 2.34 million, while the runners-up will earn USD 1.17 million -- the same amount as in the previous edition. Both losing semifinalists will receive USD 675,000 each, and every group-stage win will be worth USD 31,154, unchanged from the previous tournament. All 12 participating teams are also guaranteed a minimum payout of USD 247,500.
** Only the semifinals and the final have reserve days. If a semifinal still cannot be completed due to bad weather, the team that finished top of its group will advance to the final. The same rule will apply if a Super Over cannot be played following a tied semifinal because of adverse weather. If the final, or the Super Over following a tied final, is abandoned due to bad weather, both teams will be declared joint winners.
** This will be Bangladesh’s seventh consecutive appearance at the Women’s T20 World Cup since making their debut in 2014. However, they have managed only three wins from 25 matches in the tournament's history.
