The cricket world is looking ahead to the next generation of international talent as Bangladesh and Nepal prepare to co-host the 2027 ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Scheduled to run from January 21 to February 6, the marquee youth tournament will bring together sixteen of the world’s best rising teams for a competitive showcase across four distinct venues in the two host nations.
The tournament structure spans multiple stages, beginning with a group phase where the sixteen participating nations are divided into four groups of four teams each. Following the round-robin group matches, the competition will progress into a two-group Super Six stage, setting the stage for the knockout rounds. The business end of the tournament will culminate in the semi-finals on February 4 and the grand finale on February 6, with both high-stakes fixtures hosted in the vibrant coastal city of Chattogram.
The event marks the third edition of the Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, a tournament that has quickly established itself as a premier breeding ground for international cricket stars. Dominating the competition’s brief history are the defending champions India, who claimed back-to-back titles in the inaugural 2023 edition and the subsequent 2025 tournament held in Kuala Lumpur.
As they aim for an unprecedented third consecutive crown, India finds themselves drawn into Group A. Alongside the defending champions are Ireland, the West Indies, and co-hosts Nepal, setting up a competitive opening round of fixtures. Meanwhile, Group B features the 2025 runners-up South Africa, alongside New Zealand, Pakistan, and Samoa, promising an equally fierce battle for progression to the Super Six stage.
The tournament action will burst open on January 21 with a packed opening day featuring four matches across two venues. Sylhet will play host to Bangladesh facing off against the UAE, alongside an intriguing clash between Australia and Nigeria. Simultaneously, Mulpani will welcome Sri Lanka taking on Scotland, followed by a fixture between England and the USA.
The remaining eight teams and two venues will enter the fray on January 22. Chattogram will host New Zealand versus Samoa and South Africa versus Pakistan, while Kirtipur sees Nepal take on Ireland alongside the heavyweight encounter between India and the West Indies. In total, the tournament will comprise 41 matches, all of which are scheduled to be played exclusively during daylight hours. To accommodate teams and fans alike, morning fixtures are set to commence at 9:30 AM local time, with afternoon encounters scheduled for a 1:30 PM local start.
International Cricket Council CEO Sanjog Gupta emphasized the profound significance of the tournament for the development of women’s cricket globally. He noted that the Under-19 World Cup serves as the ultimate platform for young athletes to bridge the gap between junior competition and elite international careers representing their respective countries. According to Gupta, the presence of these future stars across 16 competing teams will capture global attention and establish relatable role models for young girls taking up the sport, ultimately inspiring the next wave of participants.
Explaining the rationale behind awarding the hosting rights to Bangladesh and Nepal, Gupta highlighted the ICC’s long-term vision of investing in the growth of the global cricket ecosystem. With a deep-rooted cultural passion for the sport and nearly 40 percent of both nations’ populations consisting of individuals under the age of 20, Bangladesh and Nepal provide an ideal backdrop for one of the premier youth sporting events on the global calendar.
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