Nepal to co-host U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027; India open title defence in Kirtipur

India will begin their title defence at the ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup 2027 against the West Indies in Kirtipur on January 22, the ICC announced as it released the schedule for the third edition co-hosted by Bangladesh and Nepal from January 21 to February 6.

Sixteen teams will compete in 41 matches across four venues in Chattogram, Sylhet and Kathmandu, with the final scheduled for February 6 and February 7 designated as the reserve day; India will be aiming for a third consecutive title after winning the inaugural edition in South Africa in 2023 and retaining the trophy in Malaysia in 2025. India, led by Niki Prasad, defeated South Africa in the final of the previous edition.

India have been drawn in Group A alongside Ireland, the West Indies and hosts Nepal; they will open their campaign against the West Indies at the TU International Cricket Stadium in Kirtipur on January 22, then take on Nepal on January 24 and Ireland on January 26. Nepal will begin their campaign against Ireland on January 22, with the tournament offering the hosts an opportunity to showcase their young talent on home soil.

Group B comprises South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and Samoa; Group C contains Australia, Bangladesh, Nigeria and the United Arab Emirates (UAE); Group D includes England, Sri Lanka, the United States of America and Scotland. The group stage will run until January 26, after which qualifying teams will advance to the Super Six stage.

In the Super Six stage the teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two sides from each progressing to the semi-finals. The semi-finals are scheduled for February 4 at the Bir Shrestha Shahid Flight Lieutenant Matiur Rahman Cricket Stadium in Chattogram, with February 5 set aside as the reserve day.

The final will take place at the same venue on February 6, with a reserve day available on February 7. "The ICC U19 World Cup is the stage that showcases the future of our sport and serves as the ultimate platform for young players to make the leap towards elite careers representing their countries," Gupta said. He also highlighted the choice of Bangladesh and Nepal as hosts, pointing to their passion for cricket and the opportunity to invest in the sport's future across both countries.

The published schedule includes the following fixtures: A4 vs D4 - TU International Cricket Stadium, Kirtipur; B4 vs C4 - Chattogram, Bangladesh; A3 vs D2 - Upper Mulpani, Nepal; D1 vs A2 - Upper Mulpani, Nepal; B3 vs C2 - Sylhet, Bangladesh; C1 vs B2 - Sylhet, Bangladesh; B1 vs C3 - Sylhet, Bangladesh; A2 vs D3 - Chattogram, Bangladesh; A1 vs D2 - Chattogram, Bangladesh; D1 vs A3 - Chattogram, Bangladesh; C1 vs B3 - Sylhet, Bangladesh; C3 vs B2 - Sylhet, Bangladesh; D3 vs A1 - Chattogram, Bangladesh; B1 vs C2 - Chattogram, Bangladesh.