The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off on October 3, 2024. Originally scheduled to take place in Bangladesh, the tournament has been moved to the UAE due to political unrest in Bangladesh. The tournament will also showcase a crop of young stars eager to make their mark on the international stage. With eyes on the rising talent, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to reveal which emerging cricketers will shine as the breakout stars of the future.
5. Katherine Fraser (Scotland) – 19y, 177d
Katherine Fraser, a 19-year-old Scottish all-rounder, has emerged as a key player for Scotland Women in recent years. She captained the Scotland team at the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup held in South Africa in January 2023, showcasing her leadership skills on the global stage.
Fraser made her senior debut for Scotland in 2019 against Germany and has since played 37 T20Is, claiming 41 wickets with an impressive best of 4/19 and an economy of 5.15. With the bat, she has contributed 64 runs. As one of the youngest players in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Fraser is a promising talent to watch and a vital part of Scotland’s future.
| Player | Age | Country | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Fraser | 19y, 177d | Scotland | Emerging Scottish all-rounder and key player for Scotland Women in recent years. |
| Leadership Role | – | – | Captained Scotland Women at the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa (2023). |
| International Debut | 2019 | – | Made senior debut for Scotland against Germany. |
| T20I Career Stats | – | – | Played 37 T20Is, taking 41 wickets with a best of 4/19, and an economy rate of 5.15. |
| Batting Contribution | – | – | Scored 64 runs in T20Is. |
| Future Potential | – | – | One of the youngest players in the 2024 T20 World Cup, a vital part of Scotland’s future. |
4. Darcey Carter (Scotland) – 19y, 125d
Scotland’s Darcey Carter, aged 19 years and 125 days, is a rising star in women’s T20I cricket. A right-handed batter and off-break bowler, Carter made her T20I debut against Thailand on July 10, 2023. In a short time, she has established herself as a versatile all-rounder.
In her 16 T20I matches so far, Carter has scored 335 runs, including two fifties, with a top score of 64*. With the ball, she has claimed 15 wickets, achieving a best bowling figure of 3/11. Her ability to perform under pressure and adapt to various game situations has garnered widespread praise.
Darcey Carter’s T20I Performance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 19 years, 125 days |
| Team | Scotland |
| T20I Debut | July 10, 2023 (vs Thailand) |
| Matches Played | 16 |
| Runs Scored | 335 |
| Highest Score | 64* |
| 50s Scored | 2 |
| Wickets Taken | 15 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 3/11 |
3. ICC, Vishmi Gunaratne (Sri Lanka) – 19y, 42d
At just 19 years and 42 days old, Vishmi Gunaratne has emerged as a rising star for Sri Lanka. She made her T20I debut against Scotland on January 18, 2022, and has quickly established herself as a reliable player for her team. Known for her adaptability, Gunaratne excels as both an anchor and an attacking batter, showcasing her importance in the Sri Lankan lineup.
Gunaratne has played 43 T20Is, amassing 720 runs at an average of 20.57 and a strike rate of 92.30, with a personal best of 73*. Her poise under pressure and ability to handle challenging situations on the field underline her potential to shape Sri Lanka’s cricketing future.
| Player | Country | Age | T20Is Played | Runs Scored | Average | Strike Rate | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vishmi Gunaratne | Sri Lanka | 19y, 42d | 43 | 720 | 20.57 | 92.30 | 73* |
2. Shorna Akter (Bangladesh) – 17y, 276d
Shorna Akter, a 17-year-old Bangladeshi all-rounder, has garnered attention for her exceptional skills with both bat and ball. A right-handed batter and leg-break bowler, Akter debuted against Sri Lanka on February 12. Her ability to adapt to various game situations, coupled with her youthful exuberance, sets her apart from her peers.
Demonstrating impressive batsmanship and effective leg-spin at a young age, Akter has played 25 T20Is so far, amassing 248 runs and claiming 13 wickets, including a five-wicket haul. Her potential makes her a key player on spin-friendly tracks in Dubai and Sharjah.
| Player | Age | Matches (T20I) | Runs | Wickets | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shorna Akter | 17y 276d | 25 | 248 | 13 | 5 wickets |
1. Shashini Gimhani (Sri Lanka) – 15y, 299d
Shashini Gimhani is the youngest player in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. At just 15 years old, her unique combination of right-handed batting and left-arm wrist spin makes her stand out. With impressive figures early in her career, including a best of 3/6, she has already shown promise as a future star in women’s cricket.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Shashini Gimhani |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Age (as of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024) | 15 years, 299 days |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 2008 |
| Playing Style | Right-handed batter, Left-arm wrist spinner |
| International Debut | T20I debut against Uganda Women in Abu Dhabi |
| T20I Matches Played | 5 |
| T20I Wickets Taken | 6 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 3/6 |
| Specialty | Left-arm wrist spin – a rare and challenging skill in women’s cricket |
| Potential | Expected to grow into one of the leading spinners in women’s cricket with proper training and time |