Though many steps have been taken to advertise women's cricket globally, nothing remarkable has been achieved yet. Cricket is neither a conservative act nor a strenuous oddity; what's stopping women's cricket from being another recognised face of global sports?
Women's cricket is a developing sport across nations that are perhaps fixated to men's cricket. The major challenge for women's cricket has not necessarily been the quality of play itself, but a stage to perform. The 2014 ICC Women's World T20 will provide the much-needed platform for players to exhibit their talent and help women's cricket, hopefully, take a giant leap in terms of popularity and following.
It is in countries like India and Pakistan where cricket is almost a religion that the women can capture the imagination of the audience. Talking of which, Pakistan's World T20 captain, Sana Mir said opportunities and exposure have changed the global scenario for women's cricket of late.
"The Pakistan team has made huge progress over recent years, and we can't wait to make a further impact on the global stage," the 28-year-old Mir reflected. "The landscape in women's cricket is very different to even five years ago, with so many competitive teams now and more opportunities to play cricket.
"Women's cricket is growing in Pakistan and it is important for the female population in Pakistan to be seeing the national team do well, and for us to be role models. It is great to see so many young girls taking up the sport not just in Pakistan but around the world."
Group A: Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Ireland
Group B: England, West Indies, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
Full Schedule:
March
23, Australia vs New Zealand, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
23, South Africa vs Pakistan, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
24, England vs West Indies, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
24, India vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
25, New Zealand vs Ireland, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
25, Australia vs South Africa, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
26, West Indies vs Bangladesh, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
26, England vs India, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
27, Australia vs Ireland, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
27, New Zealand vs Pakistan, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
28, England vs Bangladesh, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
28, West Indies vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
29, South Africa vs Ireland, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
29, Australia vs Pakistan, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
30, India vs Bangladesh, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
30, England vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
31, Pakistan vs Ireland, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
31, New Zealand vs South Africa, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
April
1, Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, Sylhet [3.30 pm local time, 3 pm IST]
1, West Indies vs India, Sylhet [7.30 pm local time, 7 pm IST]
Semifinals
3, A1 v B2, Mirpur [2.30 pm local time, 2 pm IST]
4, A2 v B1, Mirpur [2.30 pm local time, 2 pm IST]
Final
6, Mirpur [2.30 pm local time, 2 pm IST]
