Next Sunday, ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to begin in two months, and cricket lovers and critics are already jumping for the tournament. The recently ended Women’s Asia Cup was great in terms of playing performances to entertain cricket lovers and had a nice blend for the coming World Cup in Bangladesh in October this year. In the first one, they selected four teams, and as the teams pulled out before the tournament, they made it eight teams in the most exciting final, Sri Lanka defeated India, and the team secured the Asia Cup by eight wickets. With no further a do, these are the protean stars of the Women’s Asia Cup from which budding talents might emerge at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Chamari Athapaththu
Matches: 5
Runs: 304
Average: 101.3
Strike-rate: 146.85
100s: 1
50s: 2
Opener Chamari Athapaththu is the skipper of the Sri Lankan team, and she played very well as a batswoman throughout the tournament. Cricket news reveals that Athapaththu scored 304 runs across five games at an average rate of 101. Three consisting of 1 player dismissal with a high strike rate of 146. 85. He said that she is a very aggressive batsman, and the examples of such aggression were properly witnessed during the group stage, where she scored 69 balls 114 against Malaysian cricket teams and another big knock against Thai cricket teams.
Then she came to the party in the knockout stages, scoring a blazing 48-ball 63 against Pakistan in the semi-final and a 43-ball 61 against India in the final. Athapaththu is the highest run-getter in women’s T20Is in 2024, with 675 runs in 17 T20I matches at a healthy average of 48. 21 and strike rate of 134. 19. Also, she was last year’s run makers chart hit in Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, and she scored 226 runs. Everything will be focused on Athapaththu when she leaves for Bangladesh to play in the T20 World Cup.
Being among the goal-scorers and a decisive player who is highly effective when under pressure, Athapaththu is among the most important players that must be closely monitored. She has great experience and leadership qualities that would help the Sri Lankan team. Currently, her form is ascending; hence, she is highly likely among the best World Cup performers. Being a key opener, her aggressive strategy at the initial stage of the format helps the following batters to take on the bowler and secure a good position for Sri Lanka.
Shafali Verma
Matches: 5
Runs: 200
Average: 50.0
Strike-rate: 140.84
50s: 1
India’s opening batswoman, Shafali Verma, had a good tournament other than the final, where she was out for a duck. Verma scored 40, 37, 81, and 26*, thus becoming the highest run scorer for India, with a compiled total of 200 runs and a strike rate of 141. She was very consistent, which played a big role in India’s losing streak until the final.
Verma’s performance against Nepal was more impressive. She scored 81 off 48 balls, including as many as twelve fours and one six to the Nepalese bowlers. As the T20 World Cup is on the horizon, India is going to count on Verma’s powerful and steady performances as a batsman to give them good and effective starts.
India’s most important feature is Verma, who could easily dominate the power playovers with her willow work. Her fearless approach helps India get the upper hand, as it can leave the opposition’s bowlers pole-axed early on. Being one of the youngest and most promising players in women’s cricket, Verma’s performance during the World Cup will undoubtedly be assessed very carefully.
Deepti Sharma
Matches: 5
Wickets: 10
Average: 10.0
Economy: 5.0
Best: 3/13
Deepti Sharma proved the most successful bowler of this tournament, with an average of 10 wickets in the tournament. 0 and a splendid economy rate of 5. 0. Sharma shined brightly when she took 3 wickets in four overs in the first match of the tournament against Pakistan to take the Player of the Match award. She maintained the form in the next matches where she 2/23 against UAE and her tournament best bowling figure of 3/13 against Nepal.
Sharma moves the ball both ways to take wickets when they matter and keeps a leash on run rates, his skills will be critical to India in World Cup. Her variations and control in middle overs can slow the run rate of the opposition team and she became important part of Indian bowling line up.
Sharma has the comprehensive skills that can enrich arsenal of the Indian side. Apart from bowling, she can be like a gem of a lower order batsmen who can add good amount of runs to the total. Due to her experience and ability to remain composed during tense matches she is Bound to be among the outstanding players during the world cup.
Kavisha Dilhari
Matches: 5
Wickets: 9
Average: 12.33
Economy: 6.16
Best: 2/4
Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the bowlers Sri Lanka with the ball in the Asia Cup. She did a brilliant performance in the final by setting the house on fire by getting rid of the in-form Indian openers and coming into bat at No. 4, she made a quick fire 30 off 16 balls which was a very important contribution towards the team for Sri Lanka to win the first time.
Dilhari came in as a bowler and she was perfect by fetching nine wickets in five matches, thus, making a powerful display through her spells. This was the case when she bowled against Pakistan in the semi-final match, reading, 2/30, she bowled.
His tight thinking and variations make Dilhari a rather formidable bowler to set up especially for a big scoring blast. Her ability to spread and dismissal key partnerships and to cart wickets at spectacular times will prove to be an asset to the Sri Lankan team in the World Cup event.
These achievements and her with the bat increase her worth in the team as an all rounder. Dilhari’s augments to the lower orders is a strength and a strong component he brings to the Sri Lankan batting department. Her performances in Asia Cup mean that she is so good in moments of pressure, and therefore makes her favourite star to watch during the World Cup.
Murshida Khatun
Matches: 3
Runs: 134
Average: 44.66
Strike-rate: 108.94
50s: 2
Murshida Khatun the Bangladeshi opening bowler was sensational as she scored valuable 35 runs in three matches only. She performed two fifties, they indicate she was a good player who could give her team a good start. Khatun played a match-winning knock of 50 off 55 balls against Thailand and similarly made an 80 off 59 balls against Malaysia so that Bangladesh could set respectable targets.
Khatun’s form would be beneficial for Bangladesh specially for the coming home T20 World Cup. Given her powerful build, she has the capacity to pin responsibility at the highest point of the innings and build crucial stands at the top of the order for Bangladesh.
Khatun’s peaceful disposition while at batting helps in filling up the much needed stability in the Bangladesh batting order. She creates the flow for the team as her actions and swift at making the strike and getting around the field to look for an opening. Cricket lovers will be expecting Khatun to up her performance given that she has been in the team for quite some time now.
Sadia Iqbal
Matches: 4
Wickets: 8
Average: 8.37
Economy: 4.72
Best: 4/16
Sadia Iqbal bowling was impressive for Pakistan; The best bowler for Pakistan in the tournament she has taken eight wickets in total for an average of 8. 37 and an economy rate of 4. 72. Still her best bowling happened in the semi-final against Sri Lanka where in her four overs, she took 4/16 to give Pakistan the potion she wanted.
Iqbal will surely prove worthy for the pakistan cricket team in the world cup as a left arm spin bowler and as the new ball bowler. She can then pinch the opponent by dictating the amount of runs to be scored and taking early blows.
Shehzad Zaman On fellow player Iqbal–Iqbal’s routine performances place her among the best prospect bowlers for Pakistan. Further, she has the adaptability to bowl at any part of the game, whether in the powerplay or middle overs and options are beneficial to a team’s bowling combination. Being the main spinner of Pakistan, Iqbal’s performance will prove vital in the World Cup.
Conclusion
Held in the same year was the Women’s Asia Cup and this also gave a glimpse of what fans would be offered at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. A few of these top performers include Chamari Athapaththu for the team suzuki swift sleek supremacy and Shafali Verma who have set such high standards of performing this year and will be expected to deliver that as their team fight for the cup in the world cup. Before Bangladesh tournament starts, a lot of cricket lovers are hoping for captivating nail-biting matches and outstanding performances that will contribute to the annals of women’s cricket.
FAQs
1. When and where is the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 taking place?
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set in Bangladesh in October.
2. Which team won the Women’s Asia Cup 2024?
India taking on Sri Lanka in the final match secured the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 winning by eight wickets.
3. Who was the leading run-scorer in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024?
Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka had the most runs with 304 at an average of 60.80 at the Women’s Asia Cup 2024.
4. Who was the leading wicket-taker in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024?
India’s Deepti Sharma was the bowler with the most wickets in Women’s Asia Cup 2024 with 10 wickets in the tournament playing 5 matches.
5. Which player should we watch out for in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024?
Some of the real game changer players include Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka, Shafali Verma of India and Deepti Sharma of India are likely to emerge as big players for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
