All you need to know about 2025 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup
Find out when the tournament starts, what the format is, who the defending champions are, and more
Shashank Kishore
16-Jan-2025
The 16 captains for the upcoming U-19 Women's T20 World Cup pose together • Matt King/ICC/Getty Images
Seventeen years after they last hosted a global tournament - the men's Under-19 World Cup - Malaysia is set to host the 2025 edition of the women's Under-19 T20 World Cup. Here's all you need to know about the tournament starting January 18.
Who won the inaugural edition?
India won the first edition in 2023 under Shafali Verma's captaincy in South Africa when they halted England's unbeaten run in the final.
India won the first edition in 2023 under Shafali Verma's captaincy in South Africa when they halted England's unbeaten run in the final.
When does this edition begin?
The tournament starts January 18 with Australia, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and Bangladesh all featuring on the opening day. We could also witness a special first on that day when Nigeria and Samoa play against each other - it's the first women's U-19 World Cup for both. The semi-finals will be played on January 31 and the final is slated for February 2.
The tournament starts January 18 with Australia, England, Pakistan, New Zealand, South Africa and Bangladesh all featuring on the opening day. We could also witness a special first on that day when Nigeria and Samoa play against each other - it's the first women's U-19 World Cup for both. The semi-finals will be played on January 31 and the final is slated for February 2.
How many teams are participating?
It's a 16-team event, just like the previous edition. Apart from Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, it comprises all other ten Full Members, who qualified automatically based on their standings at the inaugural edition, along with Malaysia who secured a direct entry as hosts. The remaining five spots were filled through the regional qualifiers.
It's a 16-team event, just like the previous edition. Apart from Zimbabwe and Afghanistan, it comprises all other ten Full Members, who qualified automatically based on their standings at the inaugural edition, along with Malaysia who secured a direct entry as hosts. The remaining five spots were filled through the regional qualifiers.
Who are these five regional qualifiers?
Nepal (Asia), USA (Americas), Nigeria (Africa), Samoa (Asia Pacific) and Scotland (Europe). Among these teams, Samoa will be playing at their first-ever ICC tournament - men's or women's. Meanwhile, hosts Malaysia, Nepal, and Nigeria will be playing in their first women's Under-19 World Cup.
Nepal (Asia), USA (Americas), Nigeria (Africa), Samoa (Asia Pacific) and Scotland (Europe). Among these teams, Samoa will be playing at their first-ever ICC tournament - men's or women's. Meanwhile, hosts Malaysia, Nepal, and Nigeria will be playing in their first women's Under-19 World Cup.
Which teams played in 2023 but won't be playing this time?
Rwanda, Zimbabwe, UAE and Indonesia haven't qualified for this tournament. Rwanda had finished in the top eight in 2023, ahead of four Full Members including their African counterpart Zimbabwe, but had to re-qualify due to rankings criteria, which they failed to.
Rwanda, Zimbabwe, UAE and Indonesia haven't qualified for this tournament. Rwanda had finished in the top eight in 2023, ahead of four Full Members including their African counterpart Zimbabwe, but had to re-qualify due to rankings criteria, which they failed to.
What is the format of the tournament?
Unlike the men's Under-19 World Cup, which is a 50-overs event, the women's tournament will be played in a T20 format.
Unlike the men's Under-19 World Cup, which is a 50-overs event, the women's tournament will be played in a T20 format.
The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four in a round-robin format. The top three from each group make it to the Super Six Stage comprising 12 teams.
The teams that qualify for the Super Six will carry forward the points, wins and net run rate secured against fellow Super Six teams. Each team will play two matches at the Super Six stage, against the teams from the opposing group whose finishing positions were different from its own. The top two from each pool will then advance to the semi-finals.
Was Malaysia always slated to host?
Initially, the tournament was to be jointly hosted by Malaysia and Thailand. However, the ICC had to move the entire tournament to Malaysia because Thailand's venues weren't deemed ready to host the tournament.
Initially, the tournament was to be jointly hosted by Malaysia and Thailand. However, the ICC had to move the entire tournament to Malaysia because Thailand's venues weren't deemed ready to host the tournament.
Malaysia means games will be held at the Kinrara Oval, right?
You probably remember that for Sachin Tendulkar's 141 not out from the DLF Cup in 2006 against West Indies? Or maybe from having watched Virat Kohli's team lift the Under-19 World Cup in 2008? That ground, once Malaysia's premier cricket venue, is no longer operational after Malaysia Cricket's lease agreement with the land owners ended in 2022.
You probably remember that for Sachin Tendulkar's 141 not out from the DLF Cup in 2006 against West Indies? Or maybe from having watched Virat Kohli's team lift the Under-19 World Cup in 2008? That ground, once Malaysia's premier cricket venue, is no longer operational after Malaysia Cricket's lease agreement with the land owners ended in 2022.
How many venues will host games in this tournament?
Matches will be played at four venues: Bayuemas Oval and UKM YSD Oval in Selangor, the JCA Oval in Johor, and Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak.
Matches will be played at four venues: Bayuemas Oval and UKM YSD Oval in Selangor, the JCA Oval in Johor, and Borneo Cricket Ground in Sarawak.
Who are some of the more famous alumni from the inaugural edition?
Shafali and Richa Ghosh were part of the inaugural edition as India's captain and vice-captain, respectively. However, the tournament wasn't a launchpad for them as they had already played a fair bit of international cricket by then.
Shafali and Richa Ghosh were part of the inaugural edition as India's captain and vice-captain, respectively. However, the tournament wasn't a launchpad for them as they had already played a fair bit of international cricket by then.
It was the same case for New Zealand's Georgia Plimmer and Sri Lanka's Vishmi Gunaratne, although they had much less international experience. Since then, Plimmer has been part of New Zealand's T20 World Cup-winning side and Gunaratne of Sri Lanka's Asia Cup-winning roster.
West Indies' spin-bowling allrounder Zaida James went on to play an important role in the team's first semi-final appearance in the senior T20 World Cup since 2018.
Ireland Women Under-19sSri Lanka Women Under-19sMalaysia Women Under-19sWest Indies Women Under-19sIndia Women Under-19sNew Zealand Women Under-19sSouth Africa Women Under-19sPakistan Women Under-19sUnited States of America Women Under-19sNepal Women Under-19sBangladesh Women Under-19sNigeria Women Under-19sSamoa Women Under-19sEngland Women Under-19sScotland Women Under-19sAustralia Women Under-19sICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup
Shashank Kishore is a senior sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo