The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 started on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates and will continue until October 20. Originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, the tournament was moved to the UAE due to political issues in Bangladesh.
Ten teams are competing for the championship, with India, led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, being one of the favorites. This event is a great opportunity for young players to showcase their talents on an international stage. Many are eager to see which of these rising stars will make a significant impact.
Here are the five youngest players participating in the tournament:
1. Shashini Gimhani (Sri Lanka) – 15 years old
Shashini Gimhani is the youngest player in the tournament at just 15 years old. She is a left-arm wrist spinner and right-handed batter, which is a rare combination in women’s cricket. Despite her young age, she has already played in five T20 international matches, taking six wickets with best figures of 3 wickets for 6 runs. Her unique bowling style makes her a promising talent for the future.
2. Shorna Akter (Bangladesh) – 17 years old
Seventeen-year-old Shorna Akter is an all-rounder who bats right-handed and bowls leg-spin. She made her debut for Bangladesh in February and has since played 25 T20 internationals. Akter has scored 248 runs and taken 13 wickets, including a five-wicket haul. Her skills with both bat and ball make her one to watch, especially on the spin-friendly pitches of Dubai and Sharjah.
3. Vishmi Gunaratne (Sri Lanka) – 19 years old
Vishmi Gunaratne has been a key player for Sri Lanka since her T20 international debut in January 2022. At 19, she has played 43 matches and scored 720 runs with a top score of 73 not out. Gunaratne is known for her ability to adapt her batting style to the team’s needs, whether anchoring the innings or accelerating the scoring rate.
4. Darcey Carter (Scotland) – 19 years old
Darcey Carter is a talented all-rounder from Scotland who bats right-handed and bowls off-spin. Since making her T20 international debut in July 2023, she has played 16 matches, scoring 335 runs—including two half-centuries—and taking 15 wickets with best figures of 3 wickets for 11 runs. Her versatility makes her a valuable player for her team.
5. Katherine Fraser (Scotland) – 19 years old
Katherine Fraser is an all-rounder who has been an integral part of the Scottish team. She captained Scotland’s Under-19 team in the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in early 2023. Since her senior team debut in 2019, Fraser has played 37 T20 internationals, taking 41 wickets with best figures of 4 wickets for 19 runs and an impressive economy rate of 5.15. She has also contributed 64 runs with the bat.
These young athletes are expected to make significant contributions to their teams during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Their performances could not only influence the outcome of the tournament but also shape the future of women’s cricket.
Also Read: Top 5 Bowlers With The Most Wickets In ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
