U-19 T20 World Cup, increased prize money: the high points for women's cricket after ICC meet

In a breakthrough move for women's cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to launch Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup with the very first edition of the mega event to be held in Bangladesh in 2021. This move from the ICC comes at an opportune time as the young girls of various teams can now showcase their skills and earn their spot in the senior team through some breathtaking performances on a global stage.



Speaking about the development, Manu Sawhney ICC Chief Executive said, "This is a journey we started in earnest in 2017 and next year it’s our ambition to fill the MCG on International Women’s Day for the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 which would be a world record for a women’s sporting event. This significant increase in prize money and the introduction of a Women’s U-19 event is part of a much larger effort to grow the women’s game around the world.  We have already stated our long-term commitment to reach parity across men’s and women’s cricket as part of a broader plan to grow and develop the women’s game."



The ICC has also decided to increase the prize money on the women's event. Money will be increased by $2.6 million. The increase follows a rise in the revenue generated by the sport, a proportion of which is assigned to prize money.



For the event in Australia next year, the winners and runners up will now receive $1 million and $500,000 respectively; five times the amount on offer in 2018. An overall 320% increase in the prize pot for 2020 (compared to 2018) will see every single one of the 10 competing teams receive significantly more as part of ongoing efforts to drive improved standards throughout the game and not just rewarding the top end.



In another move that will boost the cricketing aspirations in the respective nations, Nepal and Zimbabwe have been readmitted as ICC members following the conclusion of the ICC board meetings in Dubai on Monday (October 14).



Shashank Manohar ICC Chairman said, “I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Sports Minister for her commitment to the reinstatement of Zimbabwe Cricket. Her desire to work in support of Zimbabwe Cricket was clear and she has unconditionally complied with the conditions set down by the ICC Board. Funding to Zimbabwe Cricket will continue to be on a controlled basis as part of a collective effort behind getting the game in Zimbabwe back on an even keel.”



Nepal has also been reinstated on a conditional basis following their 2016 suspension for breach of the ICC regulations which prohibit government interference and require free and fair elections. Election of a 17-member Central Working Committee for the Cricket Association (CAN) of Nepal was completed earlier this month and paved the way for the re-admittance of the CAN.