T20 World Cup in South Africa highlights progress of women’s cricket

02.03.2023 - 15:43 arabnews.com

Amid the welter of men’s T20 franchise leagues, Test series, qualifying groups for T20 and ODI World Cups, a women’s T20 World Cup has been played in South Africa.

It had its share of surprises, not least of which was that the host nation reached the final, having lost its opening two matches, before losing to a strong Australian team.

This was a historic achievement, the first time a South African team has reached the final of a cricket World Cup. South Africa’s men’s team has appeared in two T20 semifinals and four ODI semifinals, one of which against Australia in 1999 ended in a tie, their opponents progressing by virtue of finishing higher in their group.

Ten teams qualified for the seventh edition of the women’s T20 World Cup in 2023, divided into two groups of five. Australia comfortably topped Group 1 by winning all four matches.

basketball golf Copa del Rey cup Harmanpreet Kaur Marseille France Australia South Africa New Zealand India Sri Lanka Saudi Arabia

Amid the welter of men’s T20 franchise leagues, Test series, qualifying groups for T20 and ODI World Cups, a women’s T20 World Cup has been played in South Africa. It had its share of surprises, not least of which was that the host nation reached the final, having lost its opening two matches, before losing to a strong Australian team.

WPL Will Help Us Overcome T20 World Cup Semi-final Defeat: Jemimah

Star batter Jemimah Rodrigues admitted on Thursday that India's heartbreaking loss against Australia in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup is still haunting the players, adding that the Women's Premier League (WPL) would help ease the pain a bit. Jemimah and India captain Harmanpreet Kaur's 69-run fourth-wicket stand had put India in pole position to push for victory but the end of their partnership led the side to a five-run defeat against Meg Lanning's Australia. "It has taken a while, honestly. We were in South Africa for two days after the semis (loss). Everyone was not in a great headspace. But coming here (for WPL), being with the family for two days (has helped ease the pain)," Jemimah said during a Delhi Capitals event in Mumbai.

"Worst Luck At The Worst Time...": Ex Australia Captain's Stunning Take On Harmanpreet Kaur's Run Out In Women's T20 World Cup

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has weighed in on the Harmanpreet Kaur run out in the Women's T20 World Cup. While saying that Meg Lanning's team is the best sports team in Australia in the last decade, he says that the run out was "unlucky." India suffered a heart-breaking loss against Australia in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup. Chasing a 173-run target, India were in a strong position when skipper Harmanpreet Kaur got run out.

India Among Eight Direct Qualifiers For Women's T20 World Cup 2024

India, by virtue of finishing inside the top-three in their group in the recently concluded Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa, are among the eight automatic qualifiers for the 2024 edition of the tournament scheduled in Bangladesh. The top-three teams in each of the two group of the World Cup automatically made the cut along with hosts Bangladesh and Pakistan who were ranked the highest outside the top-six direct qualifiers.

Richa Ghosh Only Indian In ICC's 'Most Valuable Team' Of Women's T20 World Cup

India's wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh's exploits during the side's run to the semi-finals of the Women's T20 World Cup in Cape Town have earned her a place in ICC's Most Valuable Team of the tournament announced on Monday. The 19-year-old wicket-keeper and middle-order batter had a couple of below-par scores against Ireland in the group stages and Australia in the semi-finals, but three unbeaten knocks -- 31 not out vs Pakistan, 44 not out vs West Indies and 47 not out vs England -- saw her end the tournament with 136 runs.

"If She Genuinely Put In The Effort...": Australia Star's Massive Jibe At Harmanpreet Kaur Over Run Out In T20 World Cup Semi-final

India's dreams of a maiden Women's T20 World Cup title ended when the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side fell short by five runs in the semi-final against Australia. Chasing a 173-run target against Australia in the semi-final of the Women's T20 World Cup semi-final, India were batting confidently at one stage, till skipper Harmanpreet's run out happened. The match turned dramatically when Harmanpreet was run out with just 40 runs needed off 32 balls. Kaur batted superbly to make 52 off 34 balls. She hit a ball to deep midwicket and seemed set to complete a comfortable two runs only for her bat to jab into the turf just short of the crease. Kaur threw her bat angrily as she walked off. That dismissal pegged back India ultimately.