Nepal Gears Up for ACC Women's Asia Cup 2024

Nepal is confirmed to participate in the ACC Women's Asia Cup 2024 in a significant development for cricket enthusiasts. This prestigious event is set to unfold in Sri Lanka from July 4 to July 13, offering a platform for top-notch women's cricket teams from across Asia.

A Leap Forward for Women's Cricket

The Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) has warmly embraced the Asian Cricket Council's (ACC) decision to expand the tournament to eight teams. This move broadens the competition and strengthens the global promotion of women's cricket. Historically, the Women's Asia Cup has shown variability in the number of participating teams, with six teams in 2018, seven teams in the last edition of 2022, and a hiatus in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Nepal's Journey and Resilience

Despite facing a setback in the semi-finals of the ACC Women's Premier Cup earlier this year, where Nepal narrowly missed qualification after a loss to Malaysia, the team has been given a new lease on life. Thanks to a recent policy revision by the ICC, Nepal, alongside Thailand, has been granted entry into the Asia Cup. This marks Nepal's third appearance, having previously competed in 2012 and 2016.

Showcasing Female Leadership in Sports

The ACC is committed to maintaining the tradition of involving women referees and umpires throughout the tournament, a move applauded for fostering gender equality in sports. Jai Shah, ACC President, highlighted the significance of this approach in enhancing the popularity and respect for women's cricket on a global stage.

Nepal's Challenge in Group A

Nepal finds itself in Group A, facing formidable opponents including India, Pakistan, and the ACC Women's Premier Cup winner, UAE. India, with its history of seven championship wins and the current title of defending champion, is anticipated to be a tough competitor. Nepal's campaign will kick off against Pakistan on the opening day, followed by matches against UAE on July 21, and India on July 23. Group B includes Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the finals.

This upcoming ACC Women's Asia Cup is not just a tournament; it's a celebration of resilience, skill, and the growing prominence of women in cricket. As Nepal prepares to showcase its talent on this international stage, fans and supporters are eagerly anticipating thrilling matches and inspiring performances.

Here’s the full schedule of the ACC Women’s Asia Cup 2024: