Significant Increase in Prize Pool
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled a record-breaking prize pool for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, setting a new benchmark for women’s cricket. In a press release on Tuesday, the ICC revealed that the total prize money for the 2024 edition will reach an impressive $7,958,080, more than double the prize pool of the 2023 edition. This remarkable increase underscores the ICC’s commitment to promoting and growing women’s cricket on a global scale.
Massive Increase in Winner’s Prize
The winning team of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup will receive a staggering $2.34 million, a 134% increase from the previous edition, where the champions were awarded $1 million. This substantial boost in the winner’s prize highlights the growing recognition and importance of women’s cricket. The runners-up will also benefit from this financial uplift, with a prize of $1.17 million, while the semi-finalists will each receive $675,000.
Group Stage Rewards
In addition to the significant increases for the knockout stages, the prize money for group stage wins has also seen a considerable jump. Each victory in the group stages will now be rewarded with $31,154, marking a 78% increase from last year’s $17,500. This move is aimed at incentivizing strong performances throughout the tournament, even in the early stages.
Base Prize for All Teams
To ensure that no team leaves the tournament empty-handed, the ICC has introduced a base prize of $112,500 for all 10 participating teams, totalling $1.125 million. This guarantee reflects the ICC’s ongoing effort to provide financial support and recognition to all teams competing in the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Earnings Based on Final Standings
Teams that finish fifth to eighth will each receive $270,000, while those finishing ninth and tenth will be awarded $135,000. This structured prize distribution ensures that teams are rewarded based on their performance throughout the tournament, further promoting competitive balance.
ICC’s Commitment to Women’s Cricket
These changes in the prize money are part of the ICC’s broader initiative to grow and promote women’s cricket globally. By significantly increasing the financial rewards, the ICC is not only encouraging high-level competition but also providing substantial support to the participating teams and players. This move is seen as a major step forward in recognizing the talent and dedication of women cricketers, and in making the sport more financially viable for all involved.
Trophy Tour to Pakistan
In addition to the prize money announcement, the ICC confirmed that the trophy for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will begin a tour of Pakistan, starting in Lahore on September 18. The three-day tour will see the trophy on display at various locations across the country.
On September 18, the trophy will be showcased during the second T20 International between the Pakistan women’s team and South Africa in Multan. The following day, the trophy will be displayed in Faisalabad during the Champions One-Day Cup clash between Dolphins and Stallions. The tour will conclude on September 21 before the trophy moves on to Dubai.
Tournament Relocation
Originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 has been relocated to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh. The tournament will now be held in Dubai and Sharjah, two renowned cricket venues that have hosted major international events in the past.
Opening Matches
The tournament will kick off on October 3 with hosts Bangladesh taking on Scotland in Sharjah. Later that day, Pakistan will face Sri Lanka at the same venue, marking the start of what promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament. The relocation of the event to the UAE ensures that the Women’s T20 World Cup will continue as planned, despite the challenges faced in Bangladesh.
