Pakistan play all matches in Sri Lanka Women’s World Cup: Oldest cricket event

The 13th edition of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup starts on Tuesday, September 30, with England hoping to lift the title for a fifth time. The Women’s ODI Cricket World Cup, first played in 1973, is the oldest global tournament in cricket, preceding the men’s event by two years. 

With 12 editions held so far, Australia has dominated the competition, securing seven titles, while England follows with four. New Zealand won it once. 

India, despite reaching the final twice, is yet to claim a title.

Australia won the World Cup when it was last held in 2022 beating England in the final. England were the winners of the first Women’s World Cup when they beat Australia in 1973. 

The World Cup in women’s cricket is played once every four years by eight teams though that will rise to 10 in 2029.
The eight competing nations are Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The latest edition is being hosted by India and Sri Lanka, with Pakistan playing all of their matches in Colombo because of the current political situation with neighbours India.

Matches are 50 overs per side, with each team playing the other once in the initial round-robin group stage.

The top four progress to the semi-finals, with the group-stage leader playing the team which finished fourth and second and third playing against each other.

India and Sri Lanka open the tournament on September 30 in Guwahati, with England getting their campaign under way against South Africa, also in Guwahati, on October 3.

Current holders Australia begin against New Zealand in Indore on October 1 and face hosts India in Visakhapatnam on October 12 and Ashes rivals England on October 22 in Indore.

Colombo will host Pakistan’s seven group games, including against India and England. A semi-final and the final will also take place there, if Pakistan make it that far.

The Squads:
Australia: Alyssa Healy (captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (captain), Nahida Akter, Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider Jhelik, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Islam Trisna, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Nishita Akter Nishi, Sumaiya Akter.

England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Em Arlott, Tammy Beaumont, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Charlie Dean, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones, Heather Knight, Emma Lamb, Linsey Smith, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice captain), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh, Uma Chetry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, Amanjot Kaur, Arundhati Reddy, Kranti Gaud.

New Zealand: Sophie Devine (captain), Suzie Bates, Eden Carson, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Bella James, Jess Kerr, Melie Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Georgia Plimmer, Lea Tahuhu.

Pakistan: Fatima Sana (captain), Muneeba Ali Siddiqui (vice captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Eyman Fatima, Nashra Sundhu, Natalia Parvaiz, Omaima Sohail, Rameen Shamim, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Shawaal Zulfiqar, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Syeda Aroob Shah.

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Tumi Sekhukhune, Nondumiso Shangase, Chloe Tryon.

Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi De Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya.