The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has officially launched the Women’s Under-19 T20 Asia Cup, a groundbreaking tournament aimed at elevating the standard of women's cricket in Asia. This announcement was made during the ACC Executive Board meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Wednesday.

Set to debut in mid-December 2024, the Women's U19 T20 Asia Cup will serve as a key preparatory event for the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, scheduled for January-February 2025 in Malaysia. Although the venue and the number of participating teams for the inaugural tournament are yet to be finalized, the event promises to provide emerging female cricketers across Asia with invaluable international exposure and experience.

ACC President Jay Shah, who has recently been named ICC Chairman, emphasized the significance of this new tournament. “Today marks a pivotal moment for cricket in Asia. The introduction of the Women’s U19 Asia Cup is a monumental achievement, providing a much-needed platform for young women cricketers to develop their skills and showcase their talent,” Shah stated. “This initiative not only strengthens the future of women’s cricket in Asia but also has a profound impact on the global cricketing community.”

The biennial Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup is expected to play a crucial role in preparing teams for major international competitions. By offering a competitive platform for young cricketers, the ACC aims to enhance the performance of Asian teams on the global stage and support their development in the lead-up to the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup.

As the cricketing world anticipates the upcoming Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, where India will be the defending champions, the introduction of the Asia Cup is set to provide teams with the edge they need to perform at their best.