Group A of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup sees hosts Malaysia and reigning champions India joined by Sri Lanka and West Indies in Pandamaran, with the Bayeumas Oval playing host to all matches.
Malaysia
Hosts Malaysia are making their debut at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
After missing out on qualification for the inaugural edition in 2023 with a fourth-place finish in the Asia Qualifier, their status as hosts ensured automatic qualification this time around and they are fresh from vital experience at the maiden U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup in December.
Captain Nur Dania Syuhada will lead the charge for the hosts with bat and ball, and will hope to use her experience with the senior side to great effect on home soil.
Her top-order partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Nur Aliya Binti Mohd Hairun will be crucial to their hopes of progressing beyond the group stage.
Syuhada’s off break will lead the bowling attack alongside fellow spinner Marsya Qistina Binti Abdullah and seamer Nur Isma Dania Binti Mohd Daniel.
India
India arrive in Malaysia determined to retain the crown they won in South Africa two years ago at the tournament’s inaugural edition.
Three members of the current squad, Gongadi Trisha, Shabnam Shakil and Sonam Yadav, were part of the team that overcame England in the final in 2023 and will be looking to deploy their know-how as they target a second title.
Trisha starred with the bat as India claimed the Asia Cup last month, hitting a half-century in the win over Bangladesh in the final and finished as the tournament’s top run scorer with 159.
She will combine with G Kamalini at the top of the order, with the pair among a number of Indian players with WPL contracts, a group also including captain Niki Prasad.
The experienced Shakil and Yadav are also part of that group and will lead the bowling attack alongside VJ Joshitha and Aayushi Shukla, who finished as top wicket taker in the Asia Cup with 10 scalps to her name.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka will be looking to improve on their Super 6 finish last time out as they return for their second ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
A victory over the USA secured their progression to Super 6 Group 1 two years ago, but they will have eyes on taking the next step after missing out on the semi-finals.
They reached the last four in the recent Asia Cup but missed out on the final after defeat to Group A rivals India.
They will have a chance to get revenge when the sides meet on 23 January in their final group stage match, and prodigious bowler Chamodi Praboda could be key to their chances.
The 15-year-old took three for 16 against India, while fellow spinner Shashini Gimhani also impressed in the tournament.
Captain Manudi Nanayakkara is a dangerous option with the bat, something she demonstrated with an unbeaten 74 off 40 against Malaysia.
She will combine with Limansa Thilakarathna and wicketkeeper-batter Sumudu Nisansala in a strong middle order, while opener Sanjana Kavindi will hope to provide a strong platform.
West Indies
West Indies will also have eyes on upgrading their Super 6 finish from two years ago, their placing at the 2023 edition ensuring automatic qualification for the 2025 tournament.
The Windies finished second in their group in South Africa in 2023 thanks to victories over Ireland and Indonesia but were unable to follow it up in the Super Six, succumbing to Rwanda and England to miss out on the semi-finals.
All-rounder Samara Ramnath will captain the side in Malaysia, with the 17-year-old hoping to utilise her summer spent as part of the Trinbago Knight Riders squad in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League.
She will be assisted by vice-captain Asabi Callender, one of a trio of players returning for their second ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Bowler Jahzara Claxton and all-rounder Naijanni Cumberbatch are also back for a second time, meaning there is plenty of experience amongst the West Indies side heading to Malaysia.
Pixie
Sport Trivia: Where did Naas Botha play his first test match for South Africa? Answer: Wanderers – Naas Botha was selected to play for South Africa at Rugby Union after playing for the SA Under 20 squad. He made his debut against South America on 26 April 1980 at the Wanderers Stadium, recognised as a cricket ground. This was due to the fact that Ellis Park had been demolished in 1979 to be rebuilt.
Pigeon Woman
The man considered as the father of cricket is William Gilbert (W.G.) Grace. He played amateur cricket in England and is credited for helping develop the sport into the modern obsession that it has become.