Bangladesh will face the United Arab Emirates in the opening match of the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup on January 21 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, marking the start of a tournament that will bring 16 teams to four venues across Bangladesh and Nepal.
The International Cricket Council announced the schedule on October 21. The tournament runs through February 6, with Bangladesh in Group C alongside Australia, Nigeria and UAE. Three qualifying teams from each group will advance to the Super Six stage, according to the ICC.
Bangladesh's opening fixture and group rivals
Bangladesh will play UAE in the morning on January 21 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Cricbuzz reported. Australia will face Nigeria at the same venue later that day.
The group stage continues until January 26. Bangladesh will also compete against Australia and Nigeria in group matches before the tournament progresses to the Super Six stage, where the top two teams from each Super Six group will advance to the semi-finals.
Tournament venues and schedule
The 41 matches will be split across four stadiums: Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, Sylhet International Cricket Stadium in Sylhet, TU International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu, and Upper Mulpani International Cricket Ground in Kathmandu, according to the ICC.
Group A comprises India, Ireland, West Indies and Nepal. Group B includes South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Samoa. Group D features England, Sri Lanka, the United States of America and Scotland.
Defending champions India will play West Indies on January 22. The semi-finals are scheduled for February 4 at Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, with February 5 as a reserve day. The final will be played on February 6 at 1:30 PM local time, with February 7 as a reserve day, the ICC reported.
India's bid for three straight titles
India won the first edition in South Africa in 2023 under captain Shafali Verma and the second in Malaysia in 2025 under captain Niki Prasad, Cricbuzz reported. The tournament format consists of a group stage, followed by the Super Six stage, semi-finals and a final.
Why Bangladesh and Nepal are hosting
ICC CEO Sanjog Gupta said the choice of hosts reflects the ICC's investment in the future of cricket. "The choice of our hosts - Bangladesh and Nepal - is also reflective of the ICC's belief and investment in the future of the cricket ecosystem. With deep passion for cricket and nearly 40% of the two countries' populations below the age of 20, they serve as the ideal hosts for one of the world's biggest youth sporting events," Gupta said, according to Cricbuzz.
Gupta said the tournament provides a platform for young players to establish themselves internationally. "The ICC U19 World Cup is the stage that showcases the future of our sport and serves as the ultimate platform for young players to make the leap towards elite careers representing their countries," he said, according to Cricbuzz.
According to the ICC, Gupta added that the tournament plays a role in women's cricket development. "The ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup plays an important role in the development of women's cricket, giving young players the opportunity to compete at the highest level in their age group and gain experience on the global stage," he said.
"By bringing 16 teams together in Bangladesh and Nepal, this tournament will showcase the growing depth of talent in women's cricket and create opportunities for players from established and emerging cricketing nations to develop through international competition," Gupta said, according to the ICC.