The cricket world is preparing for another thrilling showcase of young talent as Bangladesh and Nepal gear up to co-host the prestigious 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Scheduled to run from January 21 to February 6, the upcoming tournament promises to deliver nearly three weeks of competitive, high-stakes international cricket involving some of the brightest rising stars in the women’s game.
Four distinct venues across the two host nations have been selected to stage the 41 matches of the tournament. Cricket fans in Bangladesh will watch the action unfold in the vibrant cities of Chattogram and Sylhet, while supporters in Nepal will experience elite global competition at venues in Kirtipur and Mulpani. The tournament schedule has been carefully crafted to build toward a dramatic conclusion, with the iconic port city of Chattogram assigned to host the two high-pressure semi-finals on February 4, followed by the grand finale on February 6, where the next generation of world champions will be crowned.
This upcoming tournament marks the third edition of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, a competition that has quickly established itself as a vital stepping stone for elite international careers. India enters the 2027 tournament as the undisputed powerhouse of the youth event, having secured back-to-back championship titles in the inaugural 2023 edition and the subsequent 2025 tournament held in Kuala Lumpur.
As the defending champions, India has been placed in Group A, where they will face stiff competition from Ireland, the West Indies, and co-hosts Nepal. Meanwhile, Group B features the 2025 runners-up, South Africa, who will look to go one step further this time around. South Africa is joined in Group B by New Zealand, Pakistan, and Samoa, setting up a fascinating battle for supremacy in the group stages of the 16-team competition.
The tournament format is designed to test the depth, resilience, and tactical adaptability of every participating squad. The 16 competing teams will initially be divided into four groups of four teams each for the opening round. Following the preliminary group matches, the tournament will transition into a two-group Super Six stage, which will filter the top contenders before culminating in the knockout semi-finals and the ultimate championship match in Chattogram.
Action will commence on opening day, January 21, with four matches taking place simultaneously across different host cities. Sylhet will play host to an exciting double-header featuring Bangladesh against the United Arab Emirates, alongside a compelling fixture between Australia and Nigeria. On the same day, fans at Mulpani will witness Sri Lanka take on Scotland, followed by a cross-continental clash between England and the United States.
The remaining eight teams and the other two host venues will spring into action on January 22. Chattogram will welcome New Zealand against Samoa in the morning, followed by a traditional rivalry match between South Africa and Pakistan in the afternoon. Concurrently, Kirtipur will stage Nepal’s opening encounter against Ireland, as well as a blockbuster Group A fixture between defending champions India and the West Indies.
In a move tailored to suit local playing conditions and maximize viewing accessibility, all 41 matches of the tournament will be played during daylight hours. The schedule features a reliable daily rhythm, with morning matches getting underway at 9:30 AM local time, while afternoon fixtures are slated for a 1,30 PM local start time. This consistent scheduling allows teams and traveling supporters to settle into a predictable routine throughout the nearly three-week-long sporting calendar.
The decision to award the tournament to Bangladesh and Nepal has been met with widespread enthusiasm from cricket administrators, who view the joint hosting arrangement as a strategic investment in the geographic expansion and grassroots development of the sport. ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta emphasized the profound significance of the youth tournament and the rationale behind choosing the two South Asian nations as hosts.
"The ICC U19 World Cup is the stage that showcases the future of our sport and serves as the ultimate platform for young players to make the leap towards elite careers representing their countries," Sanjog Gupta said. He highlighted the inspirational impact these young athletes have on the next generation of girls taking up the game, noting that the participants representing the 16 nations will command global attention and serve as relatable role models for countless aspiring cricketers worldwide.
Elaborating on the choice of hosts, Gupta pointed to the immense demographic and cultural advantages found within Bangladesh and Nepal. "The choice of our hosts – Bangladesh and Nepal – is also reflective of the ICC’s belief and investment in the future of the cricket ecosystem. With deep passion for cricket and nearly 40% of the two countries’ populations below the age of 20, they serve as the ideal hosts for one of the world’s biggest youth sporting events."
As preparations continue to ramp up across Chattogram, Sylhet, Kirtipur, and Mulpani, anticipation continues to build for a tournament that promises not only to crown the next global champions in youth cricket, but also to leave a lasting legacy for the sport across South Asia.
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