The ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2023 kickstarted on January 14, witnessing an exciting battle between batters and the challenging South African pitches. The two-week-long tournament is set to conclude on January 29.
In the tournament opener against Bangladesh, Australia’s Claire Moore, who plays for Sydney Sixers in the WBBL, showcased her prowess by hammering a composed 52 runs. This strong performance immediately earned her a spot among the leading run-scorers in this year’s edition.
Meanwhile, Indian opener Shweta Sehrawat emerged as the highest run-scorer in the tournament. Securing the second and third spots were Grace Scrivens from England and India’s Shafali Verma, respectively.
Sehrawat, the vice-captain of the Indian team, made a blazing entry into the tournament with a sensational knock of 92 runs off 57 balls against South Africa. Her aggressive style of batting, reminiscent of Virender Sehwag, has been a highlight. Impressively, she managed to achieve another half-century in India’s second match. Her leadership skills were recognized when she was appointed as the captain for the five-game series against New Zealand prior to this event.
Shafali Verma, a key player in the senior Women’s T20I side, continued to display her dynamic and powerful batting style. Having amassed over 1,200 runs at an impressive strike rate of 134.53 in more than 50 T20 international matches, Verma’s potential has been evident since her debut in September 2019.
Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne and Dewmi Vihanga have also made their mark with stellar performances during the initial league-stage matches. These players are vital components of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, greatly contributing to the team’s success.
Bangladesh, a surprise package of this edition, boasts talents like Afia Prottasha, Dilara Akter, and Shorna Akter, who have managed to turn heads with their exceptional performances. Pakistan’s Eyman Fatima has also secured a place in the top 10 run-scorers list.
The inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup features 16 teams divided into four groups of four. The tournament encompasses a total of 41 matches, including the league stage, Super Six, semi-finals, and the ultimate face-off in the final.
In summary, the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2023 has provided cricket enthusiasts with an exhilarating display of skill and determination. Batters have thrived despite the challenges posed by the South African pitches, with players like Claire Moore, Shweta Sehrawat, and Shafali Verma leading the charge. The tournament’s setup, including the presence of emerging talents from various teams, promises an exciting culmination on January 29.
