All four semi-final spots have been confirmed as India and South Africa are joined by Australia and England in securing semi-final spots for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, from 18 January to 2 February, 2025.
England sealed the last semi-final place in U19 Women’s T20 World Cup action, beating New Zealand by six wickets in Monday’s only match, Abi Norgrove’s side joined defending champions India, Australia and South Africa, with the trio locking in their final four spots after Sunday’s action.
With none of the semi-finalists having lost a match in the tournament to date, the reckoning of the 2024 edition of the tournament begins on Friday 31 January, when South Africa will face Australia, and India will face England at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur.
South Africa’s Path to Qualification
The Proteas started off their tournament in impressive fashion with victory over New Zealand and have been in dominant form since then, seeing off Samoa and Nigeria in Group C before hammering Ireland in their first Super 6 game.
The second Super 6 match against the USA was called off without a ball bowled on Tuesday, 28 January, after a deluge of persistent rain put paid to any thought of a cricket match in Kuching in Sarawak, on the eve of the Chinese New Year.
Captain and all-rounder Kayla Reyneke has been outstanding with the ball, taking nine wickets in her four matches to-date, while keeper Karabo Meso has shown a penchant for destructive middle-order hitting, slamming her runs at a tournament-leading strike rate of 194.11.
How England Made the Knock-Out Stage
In a campaign that has been affected by the rain thus far – with one group match and one Super 6 match lost to the weather – England stayed focused and seized their opportunity against New Zealand.
The English went into their match knowing that three other Group 2 teams could mathematically still nick the place in the last four: Nigeria, the USA and New Zealand.
Tilly Corteen-Coleman did the damage with the ball, taking 4-8 as New Zealand mustered only 89 runs all out, put in to field after Norgrove won the toss and put them into bat.
She was ably supported by Prisha Thanawala, who took 3-19, and Trudy Johnson, who finished with figures of 2-7.
In their response, openers Davina Perrin and Jemima Spence made quick headway into their target of 90, with a late cameo of 17 runs of 15 ball from Charlotte Stubbs getting England over the line.
How India Secured their Semi-Final Spot
India won all three of their matches in Group A, beating Sri Lanka, West Indies and hosts Malaysia to progress to the Super 6, where they continued their excellent form with Sunday’s big win over Bangladesh.
Opening batter Trisha Gongadi ended Sunday’s game as the tournament’s top run-scorer, hitting 120 across 89 balls faced in her four innings so far.
Left-arm spinner Vaishnavi Sharma has been a consistent threat with the ball, taking extraordinary combined figures of 9/23 across her 12 tournament overs to be tied as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
Australia’s Tournament So Far
Australia dominated in Group D, overcoming Bangladesh, Scotland and Nepal before showing their class with a convincing win over West Indies in the Super 6.
Eleanor Larosa and Caoimhe Bray have led the way with the ball for the Aussies, taking seven wickets apiece, while the top order have been solid throughout the tournament so far.
Australia also came out on top in a final-over thriller against Bangladesh, edging past the latter by a two-wicket margin.
SA U19 Women Fixtures and Results for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 (All times CAT)
Sat 18 Jan: South Africa beat New Zealand by 22 runs (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak)
Mon 20 Jan: South Africa beat Samoa by 10 wickets (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak)
Wed 22 Jan: South Africa beat Nigeria by 41 runs (DLS) (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak)
Super Six Stage
Saturday, 25 January
New Zealand beat USA by 18 runs (YSD UKM Oval, Kuala Lumpur) (Group 2)
England v Nigeria – Match abandoned (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) (Group 2)
South Africa beat Ireland by 7 wickets (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) (Group 2)
Australia beat West Indies by 7 wickets (YSD UKM Oval) (Group 1)
Sunday, 26 January
Sri Lanka v Scotland Match abandoned (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) (Group 1)
India beat Bangladesh by 8 wickets (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) (Group 1)
Monday 27 January
England beat New Zealand by 6 wickets (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) (Group 2)
Tuesday 28 January
South Africa v USA Match abandoned (Borneo Cricket Ground, Sarawak) (Group 2)
Bangladesh beat West Indies by 10 wickets (Bayuemas Oval) (Group 1)
India beat Scotland by 150 runs (Group 1)
Wednesday 29 January
Nigeria v Ireland (YSD UKM Oval) (Group 2) (10:30 CAT)
Australia v Sri Lanka (YSD UKM Oval) (Group 1) (14:30 CAT)
Fri 31 January
1st Semi-final (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) (10:30 CAT)
2nd Semi-final (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) (14:30 CAT)
Sunday, 2 February
Final (Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur) (14:30 CAT)
Original Copy: The ICC, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: All four knock-out berths have been filled as India and South Africa are joined by Australia and England in securing semi-final spots for the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia, from 18 January to 2 February, 2025. All Photos: Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images
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