DHAKA, May 5, 2024 (BSS)- The hosts Bangladesh will kick off their campaign 
on the opening day of the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup by taking on one of the 
qualifiers according to the schedule.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) released the fixture of the 
tournament today at a programme in a city hotel.

The ninth edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will be taking place 
from October 3 to 20.

Bangladesh will host the tournament for the second time, having organised it 
in 2014. That was the last time that Bangladesh hosted any ICC tournament.

A total of 10 teams will take part in the tournament, split into two groups. 
Two teams from the Qualifiers will join the top eight teams.

Bangladesh Women's team, adorably called as the Tigresses, were drawn in 
Group B matches along with England, South Africa, West Indies and Qualifier 
2.

Group A, features six time winners Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan 
and Qualifier 1.

Two venues will be used for the 23 matches with Group B teams playing all of 
their matches at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka while Group 
A teams playing their matches at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Nazmul Hassan Papon, minister for Youth and Sports and President of the 
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), alongside Geoff Allardice, CEO of the ICC and 
the Captains of India and Bangladesh women's team- Harmanpreet Kaur and Nigar 
Sultana Joty respectively graced the programme. 

Before the official fixture launch, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina met the two 
captains at her residence, offering her best wishes for a successful World 
Cup. 

There will be 10 warm-up matches from September 27 to October 01 all taking 
place at the BKSP in Dhaka.

"We are thrilled to announce the fixture schedule for the ninth ICC Women's 
T20 World Cup. It will be great to have an ICC World Cup back in Bangladesh, 
a country with such a large and passionate fan base who will be able to enjoy 
an ICC event first hand," ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice said.

Speaking at the event, Indian Captain Harmanpreet Kaur said: "I'm thrilled at 
the prospect of competing in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh 
later this year. The growth of women's cricket over the past few years and 
especially Women's World Cups have been incredible. I am sure this event will 
be no different with competitive and high energy cricket to entertain the 
world."

Bangladesh won their only match in T20 World Cup back in 2014 when they were 
the hosts. After that, they failed to win any matches in the last four 
editions. 

Nigar Sultana, captain of the Bangladesh team, hoped to end that win draught 
by taking the home advantage. 

"For the country, it's an honour to host such a prestigious event, where our 
passionate fans can experience the best of international women's cricket 
firsthand. The event has the potential to galvanise the women's game not only 
in Bangladesh but also across the world," Joty said.

"Our team has worked hard to improve, and playing in home conditions adds to 
our determination. We urge our fans to support us; their motivation fuels our 
performance."