Ten teams are competing for the final tickets to Bangladesh through the tournament in Abu Dhabi. The T20 World Cup spots will be decided on May 5, and a Qualifier winner will be crowned on May 7.
How did the teams get to this stage of the competition?
Eight of the competing teams earned their spots in the tournament through regional qualifiers.
Thailand and UAE secured their places in the Asia Qualifier, while Netherlands and Scotland emerged victorious in Europe. Uganda and Zimbabwe advanced through the Africa Qualifier, and one spot each was available in the Americas and East Asia-Pacific Qualifiers, which were claimed by the USA and Vanuatu respectively.
Sri Lanka and Ireland did not qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 automatically based on their finishing positions at T20 World Cup 2023. As a result, they will participate in the upcoming global qualifier to secure their spot.
The format
The teams have been divided into two groups of five, with each side playing against every other team in their group once.
The top two finishers in each group will move on to the semi-finals, where the first-place team from one group will play against the second-place team from the other group. The winners of the semi-finals will earn the final spots in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, before facing each other in the final on 7 May to determine the tournament champion.
Group A: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Scotland, Uganda, USA
Group B: Ireland, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, UAE, Vanuatu
Preview of Group A
Sri Lanka, led by Chamari Athapaththu, are the early favourites in Group A and for the tournament overall. They enter the competition with a recent bilateral series win over South Africa, who are finalists for the T20 World Cup 2023. Sri Lanka also reached the final of the Asian Games, where they narrowly lost to India.
During their Asian Games run, they defeated Thailand. Sri Lanka is once again in contention for a qualification spot in the T20 World Cup 2020. Thailand's strength lies in their bowling and fielding, led by spinner Nattaya Boochatham who holds the record for the most T20I wickets in the tournament with 116.
While Boochatham's batting contribution will be important, the team relies heavily on Nannapat Koncharoenkai for runs, and Nattakan Chantham if she can find her form.
Scotland qualified comfortably through the European Qualifier and also have a recent T20I victory over Ireland in bilateral action. The Bryce sisters, Sarah and Kathryn, are crucial players for the Scots. However, the contributions of Ailsa Lister, Darcey Carter, and Priyanaz Chatterji will also be important for qualification.
During regional qualification in Africa, Uganda performed well, only being surpassed by Zimbabwe. The Lady Cranes have developed a team capable of challenging for qualification, with Janet Mbabazi and Rita Musamali standing out as key players
While the USA squad is relatively young, it is led by the experienced Sindhu Sriharsha, who has been a member of several USA squads at global qualifiers. It may be too early for the team to compete in a T20 World Cup cycle or two, but they are on the right track.
Preview of Group B
Laura Delany's Ireland will aim to qualify for the T20 World Cup, but they face a tough Group B with teams that have had impressive recent results.
Zimbabwe dominated in Africa qualifying, winning all their matches, including a comfortable victory over Namibia to secure their spot. They also had a relatively easy chase against tournament hosts Uganda.
The Netherlands is a team that is building collective strength, as demonstrated by their victory in one of their two regional matches against Scotland. Meanwhile, UAE showcased their abilities in both the Asia Qualifier and the ACC Women's Premier Cup by defeating Thailand en route to winning both competitions.
Vanuatu made a statement by defeating Papua New Guinea on matchday one of the East Asia Pacific Qualifier and holding off the Lewas in the single round-robin competition. Vanessa Vira, a 16-year-old spinner, topped the wicket tally at the East Asia-Pacific event. Rachel Andrew's batting was complemented by Nasimana Navaika, Valenta Langiatu, and others.
Locations
The Tolerance Oval and Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, both located in Abu Dhabi, will share hosting duties for the tournament.
Each venue will host a day game and a night match during the Group stage, resulting in 20 matches being played over five matchdays.
The semi-finals and final of the tournament will take place at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi on May 7.
Schedule
During the Group stage, a total of 20 matches will be played. After this stage, the top two teams from each Group will play in the semi-finals.
Qualification to the main competition will go to the winners of both semi-finals.
Thursday, 25 April
- Sri Lanka vs Thailand at Tolerance Oval
- Scotland vs Uganda at Tolerance Oval
- Ireland vs UAE at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Zimbabwe vs Vanuatu at Zayed Cricket Stadium
Saturday, 27 April
- Vanuatu vs Netherlands at Tolerance Oval
- UAE vs Zimbabwe at Tolerance Oval
- Uganda vs USA at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Scotland vs Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium
Monday, 29 April
- USA vs Scotland at Tolerance Oval
- Uganda vs Thailand at Tolerance Oval
- Ireland vs Zimbabwe at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Netherlands vs UAE at Zayed Cricket Stadium
Wednesday, 1 May
- Zimbabwe vs Netherlands at Tolerance Oval
- Vanuatu vs Ireland at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Sri Lanka vs Uganda at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Thailand vs USA at Zayed Cricket Stadium
Friday, 3 May
- Thailand vs Scotland at Tolerance Oval
- USA vs Sri Lanka at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- UAE vs Vanuatu at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Netherlands vs Ireland at Zayed Cricket Stadium
Semi-Finals (Sunday, 5 May)
- Semi-Final 1 at Zayed Cricket Stadium
- Semi-Final 2 at Zayed Cricket Stadium
Final (Tuesday, 7 May)
- Final at Zayed Cricket Stadium
Warm-up matches
Each team will play two warm-up matches from April 21 to April 23.
Sunday, 21 April
Sri Lanka vs Netherlands, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
Thailand vs UAE, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
Zimbabwe vs USA, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Ireland vs Scotland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Uganda vs Vanuatu, Mohan Oval, Abu Dhabi
Tuesday, 23 April
Uganda vs UAE, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
Sri Lanka vs Vanuatu, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi
Thailand vs Netherlands, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Zimbabwe vs Scotland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Ireland vs USA, Mohan Oval, Abu Dhabi