What Is 2025 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup

Overview

The 2025 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup marks the second edition of the International Cricket Council's (ICC) global championship for female cricketers under the age of 19. This tournament expands on the success of the inaugural 2023 event, aiming to boost youth development and global participation in women's cricket.

Hosted by Malaysia, the event will feature a record 16 teams, up from 15 in the first edition, reflecting growing interest and investment in women's youth cricket worldwide. The competition will follow a T20 International (T20I) format, with matches played across venues in Kuala Lumpur and the Kinrara Academy Oval.

• 16 teams will compete, including debutants Uganda and Rwanda, marking expanded global representation compared to the 2023 edition.
• The tournament is scheduled from January 18 to February 2, 2025, aligning with the ICC's early-year youth cricket calendar.
• Malaysia will become the first Southeast Asian nation to host a global ICC women’s youth event, highlighting regional growth in cricket infrastructure.
• Matches will be played at Kuala Lumpur Cricket Association Ground and Kinrara Academy Oval, both equipped for international standards.
• Each team can register a squad of 15 players, with mandatory age verification ensuring all participants are under 19 as of January 1, 2025.

How It Works

The tournament structure is designed to balance competitive intensity with developmental goals, featuring group stages followed by knockout rounds. All matches are official T20 Internationals, giving young players early exposure to international conditions and records.

• Group Stage: The 16 teams are divided into four groups of four. Each team plays the others in their group in a round-robin format. The top two from each group advance.
• Super Six Stage: Advancing teams are reseeded into two new groups of six, where they carry forward points from matches against other qualifiers from their initial group.
• Semi-Finals: The top two teams from each Super Six group qualify for the semi-finals, played in a single-elimination format to determine the finalists.
• Final Match: The winners of the semi-finals compete in the championship game on February 2, 2025, held at the Kinrara Academy Oval.
• Player Eligibility: All players must be under 19 years of age on January 1, 2025, ensuring a consistent youth development focus.
• Umpiring & Rules: Matches follow standard ICC T20I regulations, with neutral umpires and use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in knockout stages.

Comparison at a Glance

Key differences and improvements between the 2023 and 2025 editions are outlined below:

The expansion to 16 teams and inclusion of new nations like Uganda and Rwanda reflects the ICC's push to globalize women's cricket at the grassroots level. Enhanced broadcast coverage and live streaming are also expected, increasing visibility for young athletes worldwide.

Why It Matters

The 2025 Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup is a critical platform for identifying and nurturing future stars of international women's cricket. By providing structured competition at a young age, the ICC fosters talent pipelines and promotes gender equity in the sport.

• The tournament helps identify future senior national team players, with many 2023 participants already featuring in senior squads by 2024.
• It encourages investment in youth academies and women’s development programs in emerging cricket nations.
• Exposure to international competition builds mental and technical resilience in young athletes under real-world pressure.
• Hosting rights for Malaysia boost cricket infrastructure and tourism in non-traditional cricket markets.
• The event promotes gender equality in sports, aligning with ICC's 2030 gender parity goals.
• Increased media coverage provides role models for young girls, inspiring broader participation in cricket globally.

As women's cricket continues to grow in popularity and professionalism, the Under-19 World Cup plays a foundational role in shaping the next generation of global cricket leaders.