The ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 begins on January 18 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The first tournament was held in South Africa in 2023 and India U-19 Women’s team emerged as champions.
In this edition, 16 teams are divided into 4 groups. India is in Group A along with hosts Malaysia, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
groups
Group A: India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, West Indies
Group B: UK, Ireland, Pakistan, USA
Group C: New Zealand, Nigeria, Samoa, South Africa
Group D: Australia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Scotland
Here are five players to watch in the 2025 ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Maggie Clark – Australia
Despite her age, Clark was the leading wicket-taker in the last U19 T20 World Cup, dismissing 12 batsmen for South Africa. | Photo credit: ICC/X
Despite her age, Clark was the leading wicket-taker in the last U19 T20 World Cup, dismissing 12 batsmen for South Africa. | Photo credit: ICC/X
At just 17 years old, the medium-pace bowler will return for his second tournament appearance in 2023 as the youngest member of Australia’s squad.
Despite her age, Clark was the leading wicket-taker in the last U19 T20 World Cup, dismissing 12 batsmen for South Africa.
This round, she will bring additional experience after representing the Adelaide Strikers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in 2024, joining a bowling attack that features names such as Megan Schutt, Tahlia McGrath and Amanda-Jade Wellington.
Clark, who took 2 for 13 on his debut as a striker in the T20 Spring Challenge, has given every indication that he will go all out this time around to take his top-class total of 12 wickets.
Also Read: ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025: India prepares to defend title in Malaysia
Pooja Mahato – Nepal
Puja played a key role in defending Nepal Women’s U19’s record total of 213 wins. She finished with 8 wins and 5 losses. | Photo credit: Nepal/X Cricket Association
Puja played a key role in defending Nepal Women’s U19’s record total of 213 wins. She finished with 8 wins and 5 losses. | Photo credit: Nepal/X Cricket Association
Puja Mahato captained Nepal and produced a brilliant individual performance in the first-ever U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The all-rounder scored 130 off 69 balls in the qualifier against Kuwait, becoming the second Nepalese woman to score 100 international goals.
Puja played a key role in defending Nepal Women’s U19’s record total of 213 wins. She finished with 8 wins and 5 losses.
Nepal will certainly be looking to their skipper to lead the way once again in Malaysia.
Jemima Spence – England
Jemima Spence, England’s 2023 non-traveling reserve, had to wait for her chance to shine at the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 and for some time looked unlikely to be selected this year either.
The South East Stars batsman and wicketkeeper has spent a large part of 2024 on the sidelines recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
But having made her debut for the Surrey club in the Rachel Hayhoe Flint Trophy (RHFT) at the age of 16, she has already shown clear promise.
That same year, she had her highest scoring performance of 45 points in the RHFT playoffs against the Southern Vipers.
She has been a consistent starter for the Stars throughout 2023 and has also opened the last two games in a batting line-up featuring Alice Capsey and Alice Davidson-Richards and hopes to feature again in Malaysia.
Also Read: 2025 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup: List of complete teams, players to participate in the tournament in Malaysia
Ritu Singh – USA
This is Ritu Singh’s second appearance in the tournament after taking part in her first competition at the age of 16.
In the 2023 opening match for the US, the all-rounder scored 22 runs against Sri Lanka, becoming the highest scorer for the US team from number six.
Ritu has also featured for the US senior team, where they boast the second-best economy, having won 2 for 37 in 10 overs in the recent ODI against Zimbabwe.
While cricket’s newcomers struggle in 2023, Singh will be hoping to lead the way as the country aims to showcase its ambitions on the world stage.
G. Kammalini – India
G Kamalini has already impressed Mumbai Indians coach Charlotte Edwards. He will shock the world as a key member of the Indian team to defend its title. | Photo credit: ESPN
G Kamalini has already impressed Mumbai Indians coach Charlotte Edwards. He will shock the world as a key member of the Indian team to defend its title. | Photo credit: ESPN
G. Kamalini has already created a bidding war for her services in the upcoming WPL.
The wicketkeeper-batsman is set to represent the 2023 champions Mumbai Indians at the age of 16 in 2025 along with Harmanpreet Kaur, Shabnim Ismail and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
At the U19 Women’s T20 Asia Cup in December, Kamalini showed her ability to secure victory in crunch time as she scored her first goal against Pakistan, scoring 44 off 29 balls.
She hit four fours and three sixes en route to tallying her score on the matchmaker’s mark.
Having already impressed Mumbai Indians coach Charlotte Edwards, she will look to wow the world as a key member of the Indian team to defend its title.
