Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027 schedule out; India and Pakistan in separate groups

The schedule of the ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027 has been released. The tournament will be played in Bangladesh and Nepal between January 21 and February 6, with 16 teams taking part. India and Pakistan have been placed in different groups. India are the defending champions and will face the challenge of retaining the title.

Matches will be played in Chattogram and Sylhet in Bangladesh, and also in the Nepali capital Kathmandu. A total of 41 matches will be played. The 16 teams have been divided into four groups of four. Group matches will run until January 26. The teams that qualify will then move into the Super Six round. The top two teams from each of the two groups in this round will qualify for the semi-finals.

India have been placed in Group A, along with Ireland, West Indies and hosts Nepal. India will play their first match against West Indies at the Kathmandu International Cricket Stadium on January 22. On the same day, Nepal will take on Ireland.

Group B has South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Samoa. Group C comprises Australia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Group D has England, Sri Lanka, the United States and Scotland.

Four matches will be played on the opening day, January 21. In Sylhet, hosts Bangladesh will face the UAE, followed by Australia against Nigeria. In Kathmandu, Sri Lanka will play Scotland, and England will play the United States.

The tournament's matches will be held at four venues: the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, the Tribhuvan International Cricket Stadium in Kathmandu and the Upper Mulpani International Cricket Ground.

The semi-finals will be played on February 4 at the Bir Shrestha Shaheed Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram. February 5 will be a reserve day. The final will start at 1.30 pm local time on February 6, with February 7 kept as a reserve day for the final.

ICC Chief Executive Officer Sanjog Gupta said the tournament would give young women cricketers a chance to prove their ability at the international level. According to him, the tournament is a platform that offers a glimpse of the future of cricket. He expressed confidence that the young players taking part would become an inspiration for girls around the world.

Gupta also said Bangladesh and Nepal were chosen as co-hosts because of the popularity of cricket there and their sizeable young population.