Ampang: Malaysia will host the second edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January 2025, featuring sixteen international teams across four venues in a 41-match tournament aimed at spotlighting emerging talents in women’s cricket.

According to International Cricket Council, the tournament will be staged at four locations including Bayuemas Oval in Selangor, which will host the final on February 2. The event will kick off on January 18 with a series of matches, following warm-up games from January 13 to 16. India, the inaugural champions, will defend their title, while Samoa makes its first appearance in an ICC World Cup event.

The competition format includes four groups with the top teams progressing to a Super Six stage, followed by semi-finals and a final. This structure aims to provide extensive exposure and competitive opportunities for the participating teams. ICC CEO, Geoff Allardice, expressed enthusiasm about bringing the tournament to Malaysia for the first time since the U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2008, highlighting the event’s significance in promoting women’s cricket globally.

Host Tournament Director, Dinesh Muthuraman, remarked on Malaysia’s pride in hosting the event and its potential to contribute to the growth of women’s cricket both locally and internationally. The matches will be held at premier cricket facilities across Malaysia, underscoring the nation’s commitment to fostering the sport’s development and offering a platform for the next generation of cricket stars.