Proteas set to kick off Women's T20 World Cup against England in Bangladesh

The Proteas will open the T20 Women's World Cup against England as the tournament will be held in Bangladesh, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced.

The T20 Women's World Cup will run from 3 to 20 October in the capital Dhaka and the northeastern city of Sylhet, with warm-up matches starting on 27 September.

The Proteas women made history at last year's T20 event, becoming the first senior South African team to make an ICC World Cup final as they eventually lost to Australia at the Newlands final.

After last year's miss, South Africa are drawn in Group B alongside hosts Bangladesh, West Indies, England and a Qualifier.

Laura Wolvaardt's charges come off a disappointing 2-1 T20I series home defeat against Sri Lanka last month.

After a near five-month national break, South Africa will play in two warm-up games against a qualifier (28 September) and then New Zealand (30 September) before competing in the World Cup opener against England on 3 October in Dhaka.

Proteas' T20 World Cup schedule:

Thursday, 3 October - England v South Africa, Dhaka

Saturday, 5 October - South Africa v West Indies, Dhaka

Thursday, 10 October - South Africa v Q2, Dhaka

Saturday, 12 October - Bangladesh v South Africa, Dhaka

Thursday, 17 October - Semi Final 1, Sylhet

Friday, 18 October - Semi Final 2, Dhaka

Sunday, 20 October - Final, Dhaka

Six-times winners and current world number one Australia will play in Group A alongside India, New Zealand, Pakistan and a Qualifier 1.

Hosts Bangladesh and the top six teams from the previous edition in South Africa - Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan and the West Indies - qualified automatically for the tournament.

Ireland, the UAE, Sri Lanka and Scotland are in contention for the remaining