Early storylines as groups locked in for U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
After Nepal’s qualification from the Asia Regional Qualifier, the final piece of next year’s U19 Women’s T20 World Cup is in place.
By Daniel Beswick
Groups for U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 have been finalised after Nepal claimed the final tournament spot via the 2024 Asia Qualifier in UAE.
There was no shortage of drama in Ajman, with the hosts only overrun by Nepal when the teams met on the final day of the double round-robin tournament. Nepal’s win inside 15 overs was enough to edge UAE on Net Run Rate, securing their first U19 Women’s T20 World Cup entry.
As a result, Nepal have earned a place in Group D of the tournament, where they will face Australia, Bangladesh and Scotland.
How each group looks in Malaysia next year:
Group A
Drawn together with West Indies, Sri Lanka and defending champions India, there is little respite for hosts Malaysia, who will be banking on their knowledge of Bayuemas Oval in their debut tournament outing.
The side meet Sri Lanka on the morning of the tournament’s second day, with India taking on the West Indies in the afternoon fixture as they begin their quest to go back-to-back.
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Senior-capped ambidextrous wrist-spinner Shashini Gimhani only turns 16 in early December, and would be a key to Sri Lanka's success should she be picked in the squad. The team made the Super Six stage at the last tournament, though finished with no points in the second phase, with their only group win coming against fourth-placed USA. West Indies too found no success in the Super Six stage last year, with their only points coming from a carry-over win against Ireland during their group stage tilt.
Group B
An early glance would suggest Group B is perhaps the tightest to call on paper.
Aiming to go one better than their final apperance in 2023, England can lay claim to the favourites tag in the group, though they face stiff opposition from the likes of Pakistan, Ireland and the USA, all of whom will likely bring senior international experience at the tournament.
The likes of Amy Hunter, Freya Sargent, Aimee Maguire and Alice Tector all featured in Ireland's U19 tour of South Africa across October and November, while the USA boast two victories against the West Indies on a tour back in July.
The English meanwhile have named their tournament squad early, with a handful of players already boasting senior domestic experience.
Seventeen-year-old Matilda Corteen-Coleman, who claimed four wickets off four successive deliveries in a Charlotte Edwards Cup match earlier in the year for South East Stars, will likely lead the spin charge for the English, alongside off-spinner Abigale Norgrove. Wicket-keeper Katie Jones and returning 2023 squad member Davina Perrin are also tipped to impress.
Group C
Barring a no-result in Borneo, there will be history made by either Samoa or Nigeria, as the two tournament debutants go toe-to-toe on matchday one on the quest for a maiden victory. The match will also likely turn out to be a sudden-death encounter for a Super Six spot, with South Africa and New Zealand the favourites for the top two spots.
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The Kiwis will be looking to improve on their semi-final finish in 2023, though they will have to make hay without the likes of Izzy Gaze, Georgia Plimmer and Fran Jonas, all having gone on to help the country claim the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 silverware. There will be some emotion around the Samoa v New Zealand meeting to wrap up Group C action in Sarawak, though niceties between friends of the Pacific will be put to one side as the East-Asia Pacific Qualifier winners aim to cause more shocks.
After narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot in the 2023 edition, South Africa have shown they could challenge for the trophy after a 5-0 series win over Ireland in a recent home series.
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Group D
There’s already some history in Group D, with Bangladesh aiming to spoil Australia’s party in Malaysia like they did in South Africa in 2023.
After a double blow from Disha Biswas with the ball, Bangladesh kept the Aussies to 130/5, with fellow standout Marufa Akter also claiming a pair of wickets. Australia hit back early with the ball through Rhys McKenna, though the likes of Dilara Akter (40) and Sumaiya Akter (31*) showed composure in a comfortable chase.
The two sides should be in the running for two of the three Super Six spots, though Scotland and Nepal are sure to provide a stiff challenge in the race for next-round spots.
There’s an element of déjà vu for Scotland, once again taking on the Asia regional qualifier at the event, though it’s against the Nepalis this time after they overcame a UAE side who claimed the spot back in 2023.
The Scots will aim to improve on their 2023 effort, where they went winless in group play before beating the USA in a placement play-off.