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The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which was previously known as the ICC Women’s World Twenty20, is the biennial international championship for women’s T20I cricket. The tournament is organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and it first took place in England in 2009. At each T20 World Cup, few teams qualify for the tournament through automatic qualification and the rest through ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier.

Only eight teams were competing in the first three editions of the World Cup, but this number increased to ten from the 2014 edition onwards. The 2026 tournament will see an increase in the number of participating teams to twelve. A total of eight editions of the tournament have been held, with eleven different teams having participated as of 2023. Australia are the most successful team in the event, having won the title a record six times (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2023). Meanwhile, England (2009) and the West Indies (2016) have won the title once each. The Indian women’s team, New Zealand and South Africa have stood as runners-up in different World Cup editions.

The 2024 edition of the tournament is scheduled to be played from October 3 in the United Arab Emirates. In July 2022, the ICC announced that Bangladesh would host the 2024 tournament while England will be hosting the 2026 edition. However, the venue change for the 2024 edition was due to the political unrest in Bangladesh. 

The ICC announced the updated venue in August 2024. However, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will continue to be involved in hosting responsibilities. The matches of the 2024 edition are scheduled to be played in Dubai and Sharjah. Australia are the reigning champions, who have won the 2023 edition for the record sixth time, outplaying South Africa in the summit clash.

Qualification process and criteria

Qualification for the ICC Women’s T20I World Cup tournament has been based on the ICC Women’s Twenty20 international rankings and a qualification tournament the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier. Initially, until 2014, six teams earned qualification based on their position in the top eight of the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, with the host country and three other teams from the qualifying tournament.

Initially, until 2014, six teams qualified based on their ranking among the top six at the time of the draw, with the remaining two spots filled through the qualifying event. Starting in 2014, the qualification process for the tournament changed. According to the revered process, six spots were allocated to the top eight teams in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, with the host nation and three teams from the qualification event making up the final teams for the event. Additionally, from 2016 onwards, the qualification format was further revised. Seven places were determined by the top eight teams in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings, with the host country and two qualifiers completing the tournament lineup.

Women’s T20 World Cup celebrates its legacy

Overview

The T20 format has brought significant changes to women’s cricket in recent years, exemplified by the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. While Australia’s dominance in the tournament remains unparalleled, other participating teams have also experienced notable growth in the sport.

Inaugural edition 

The inaugural 2009 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup, held with eight teams was hosted by England. The hosts emerged as the champions after they edged out New Zealand in the final held at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Notably, both sides delivered excellent performances, remaining unbeaten in the group stages and overcoming Australia to reach the final.

In the 2009 final, the Kiwis, who have showcased excellent batting performances throughout the group stages, struggled in the final and were bundled out for just 85 runs. England, then led by Charlotte Edwards, successfully chased down the target on 17 overs. Katherine Sciver-Brunt who claimed a the-wicket haul emerged as the Player of the Match. Meanwhile, England batter Claire Taylor was named the player of the tournament, having accumulated 199 runs in the event.

Australia’s dominance in the tournament

Since the first edition in 2009, the Women’s T20 World Cup has typically been held biennially. From the 2010 edition, it has seen consistent dominance of the Australian team. Australia have so far reached seven finals, winning six times and losing only once, in 2016, to the West Indies. 

New Zealand, who carried their momentum from the inaugural edition emerged as a formidable team in the 2010 season as well. They remained unbeaten through the group stage, securing noteworthy victories and defeating the hosts West Indies by 56 runs in the semi-finals. However, Australia showcased their resilience under pressure and defeated New Zealand by three runs in the final held in Bridgetown to clinch their maiden title. Australia, under Alex Blackwell’s captaincy, won a crucial Super Over match against England in the group stages, narrowly defeated India in the semi-finals, and went on to win the all-important final.

2012 edition in Sri Lanka

Australia secured their second title in the 2012 Women’s T20 World Cup with a narrow four-run victory over England in the final. Batting first, Australia posted a challenging score of 142/4. Later, the bowling attack led by Jess Jonassen (three wickets) defended their title. With this win, they became the first team in women’s T20 history to win back-to-back World Cups.

As the women’s T20 game has gained popularity, the ICC expanded the tournament to 10 teams starting from the 2014 edition. South Africa, India, and the West Indies began to challenge the dominance of New Zealand, England, and Australia in the tournament. Nevertheless, Australia secured a historic hat-trick of T20 World Cup titles following a six-wicket win over England in the final held in Mirpur.

2016 edition in India 

West Indies dominated in the 2016 edition as they ended Australia’s title streak. Batting first, Australia posted a reasonable target of 148/5 in the final at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Despite their show, West Indian opener Hayley Matthews thrashed the Australian bowling attack, scoring 66 off 45 balls and, alongside captain Stafanie Taylor, formed a 120-run partnership. The Caribbean nation won the game by eight wickets, marking the first ICC trophy for the senior West Indies women’s cricket team.

2018 Edition

Australia made a stunning comeback in the 2018 World Cup, held in the West Indies. They replicated their performance in the 2014 edition, dismissing England for a below-par 105, and won the game by eight wickets in just 15.1 overs. Aussie legend Alyssa Healy was the tournament’s leading run-scorer and was named Player of the Tournament.  They performed admirably in the tournament, including a notable victory over Australia in the group stages and finishing at the top of the table. Regrettably, India were outplayed by Australia by a margin of 85 runs in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

2023 Edition

In the 2013 edition, hosts South Africa and Australia reached the final with close victories in the semi-finals over England and India, respectively. Ultimately, Australia secured their second hat-trick of titles with a 19-run win over Proteas women. 

New Zealand’s Suzie Bates is the only batter to score over 1,000 runs in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup. She has so far accumulated 1,066 runs from 36 innings. In addition,  Shabnim Ismail of South Africa holds the record for the most wickets, with 43 wickets from 32 matches.

Key strategies to anticipate at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

Australia capitalizes on express pace 

Australia, the six-time T20 World Cup champions, boasts numerous exceptional fast bowlers, including Darcie Brown and Tayla Vlaeminck. The duo could feature together for the first time in international T20 cricket in UAE. The UAE pitches typically favor spinners, the added pace on slow, low wickets could provide a crucial advantage for the speedsters.

Pakistan’s renewed leadership

As Pakistan replaced Nida Dar with Fatima Sana suggests a strategic shift for the team. The focus was on maximizing Dar’s potential while allowing Fatima more freedom to prove herself.

India will relies on core strengths

India, the 2020 runner-up, are likely to lean on their key players. Despite a recent loss to Sri Lanka in the Women’s Asia Cup final 2024, India, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, believes in the strength of their current lineup. 

England bets on recent performers

England named a squad that included players who have excelled in The Women’s Hundred competition. The squad, led by Heather Knight, includes standout performers like Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Dani Gibson, and Bess Heath.  

Veteran leadership drives West Indies’ title push

Deandra Dottin returned from international retirement and it adds valuable experience to the West Indies squad. Dottin joins Stafanie Taylor, current captain Hayley Matthews, and vice-captain Shemaine Campbelle in a seasoned leadership lineup.  

Scotland sticks to Qualifier success formula

Scotland have showcased exceptional performances in the Qualifier and they have made minimal changes to their squad for the main tournament. Thirteen players return from the Qualifier, with Abbi Aitken-Drummond and spinner Olivia Bell added after their remarkable performances. Meanwhile, they will be missing key players like the Bryce sisters.

South Africa embraces new leadership dynamic

South Africa named Laura Wolvaardt as captain and the upcoming tournament will mark her first ICC tournament in this role. Former captain Sune Luus was also included in the squad. She remains a key figure in the squad, particularly with her batting and spin-bowling skills, supporting Nonkululeko Mlaba and her left-arm orthodox spin.

New Zealand relies on veterans

The Kiwis will depend on seasoned players like Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates to lead the charge in the upcoming competition. Both legends have participated in every Women’s T20 World Cup to date. Additionally, the team is also bolstered by experienced bowlers like Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, Molly Penfold, and Rosemary Mair. On the spin side, Leigh Kasperek, Amelia Kerr, and Fran Jonas will enhance New Zealand’s bowling attack.

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Winners and Runners-Up

Year	Host Country	Winner	Runner-Up
2009	England	England	New Zealand
2010	West Indies	Australia	New Zealand
2012	Sri Lanka	Australia	England
2014	Bangladesh	Australia	England
2016	India	West Indies	Australia
2018	West Indies	Australia	England
2020	Australia	Australia	India
2023	South Africa	Australia	South Africa
2024	TBD	TBD	United Arab Emirates