On the eve of the tournament’s ninth edition, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 got off in grand style today with Captains’ Day at the Dubai International Stadium, which brought together the captains of all ten teams.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of India, emphasized the game’s ongoing learning process by saying, “I think that is something we keep learning every day.” There are moments when you feel, “Okay, I did it!” after winning. However, you can make a few minor errors when you play the next day. That’s a part of the game, in my opinion. There is never a halt to learning; each day is a learning day. Every game I play gives me more experience every time. My immediate surroundings are assisting me and putting in a lot of effort to get our team to the desired level. I am pleased with the effort the team is making to meet even the modest objectives,” she said, according to ICC.

The competitive quality of the competition was emphasized by Australia’s captain, Alyssa Healy, who said, “There are ten teams here today that deserve to be here and have a real shot at winning this World Cup.” It is not the purpose of a World Cup to defend a championship; the goal is to win one. Our swimming pool is rather challenging. To win the trophy, we must defeat a number of these clubs, but we are up for the battle.”

Hayley Matthews, the captain of the West Indies, said, “You play all year long preparing, and this is the pinnacle of where you want to be as a team,” in reference to the extensive training that goes into the World Cup. The purpose of every training session and every series is to win a World Cup. As a West Indies squad, we’ve had our minds set on it for a while, but it’s been a lengthy journey. Our goal is to succeed.”

Nigar Sultana, the captain of Bangladesh, expressed optimism, although he admitted that he was initially disappointed that the tournament was moved from his country. “At first, it was disheartening, but we are experienced individuals. We are here now, concentrated. I anticipate a sizable audience, particularly since Sharjah is home to a large Bangladeshi community. If we play in such an event, I think more people will show out to cheer us on.”

The competitive attitude of Scotland was highlighted by its captain, Kathryn Bryce, who said, “We just want to compete in this tournament.” We want to do well on the main stage to do ourselves credit, as we have played excellent cricket in the qualifiers.”

Heather Knight, the captain of England, spoke about the difficulties and development she had as a captain, adding, “Being a captain is a daily struggle. You never stop developing, learning, and changing. You develop your ability to communicate in a variety of ways throughout time, particularly with the support of those close to you. Having many instructors has kept things interesting for me. The group is always changing, which keeps things lively.”

Pakistani captain Fatima Sana described her style of leadership as follows: “As captain, I will try to enjoy myself, express myself, and back myself.” The management encourages me to make bold choices on the field and supports me. I want to make such judgments with composure.”

Sophie Devine, the captain of New Zealand, emphasized the progress made in women’s cricket, stating, “The women’s game has grown incredibly, both on and off the field. Today’s bowlers often reach speeds of 120 km/h and over, demonstrating their increased skill and fitness. Our young fast bowlers are really promising; their progress in the last 12 to 18 months has been amazing.”

Laura Wolvaardt, the captain of South Africa, discussed their methodical approach, saying, “We’re taking it one game at a time, but last year was great.” Although our pool is difficult, if we can advance to the semi-finals, anything may happen. Although there have been changes to the squad, we’ve remained well-organized with new coaches and more help. Having specialized groups working on specialized topics is fantastic.”

The captain of Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu, accepted their position as the underdog, stating, “There’s no pressure since we usually go in as the underdog. Nor do I want to put any pressure on my team. For the last sixteen months, we have been playing fantastic cricket with a youthful team that includes some seniors. We’ll start over and handle each game one at a time since this is a new format.”

A new generation of cricket fans will be entertained and motivated by the World Cup, which will include 23 matches spread over 18 days in the host cities of Dubai and Sharjah. Additionally, the tournament will serve as a revolutionary platform for women’s cricket.

The hosts Bangladesh will play Scotland in the first match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Sharjah, with Pakistan playing Sri Lanka after that.

With a novel approach to the captains’ picture this year, the ICC asked each captain to individually display their enthusiasm for the competition against the eye-catching background of the Dubai Frame, a representation of the UAE’s topography. This World Cup edition’s cultural variety is reflected in the environment, which combines the Emirate’s renowned contemporary architecture with its legacy as a desert nation.