The inaugural ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy officially gets underway in Bangkok, marking a significant leap forward for the women’s game among the associate nations. This brand-new T20I tournament, running from 20 to 30 November, features eight developing cricket teams: Thailand, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, UAE, Scotland, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda. For all eight, this competition is designed to be more than just another event — it’s a rare chance for sustained competitive exposure on the international stage.
Thailand hosts the tournament across two venues in the capital: the Terdthai Cricket Ground and the Asian Institute of Technology Ground. Each matchday will have double-headers, with games scheduled in the morning and afternoon. The format is straightforward: every team plays the others once in a round-robin league, and the champion will be the side that finishes at the top of the points table. There are no playoffs, no knockouts — pure consistency will decide the winner.
The decision to introduce this tournament aligns with the ICC’s broader focus on expanding women’s cricket into new markets and empowering emerging teams. By giving these sides a longer run of fixtures against similarly ranked opponents, the ICC aims to close the gap between elite and developing cricketing nations. This includes providing exposure to varied conditions, improved match-readiness, and a stage on which players from outside major cricketing nations can make a name for themselves.
Day one sets the tone with four matches: Thailand vs Netherlands, PNG vs UAE, Scotland vs Uganda and Namibia vs Tanzania. These early clashes will immediately reveal which squads have adapted fastest to conditions in Bangkok — especially since many of these teams rarely play full tours or multi-match events abroad. For Thailand, playing at home comes with an advantage, but also increased pressure. Teams like the Netherlands, Scotland and PNG have previously shown they can rise sharply in tournaments when given consistent fixtures.
The scheduling ensures every team gets seven games — a luxury that most associate women’s sides simply do not enjoy during a typical season. This gives coaches a broad window to test combinations, rotate bowlers, and assess bench strength. It also allows standout talents to gain valuable experience against varied opponents, helping them prepare for higher-level competitions in the future.
More broadly, the launch of this tournament reflects a shift toward long-term development rather than token participation. For many players involved, this will be the most cricket they’ve played in a single stretch all year. For the ICC, it is a test case that could shape future investment and tournaments aimed specifically at bridging the competitive gap.
The next ten days in Bangkok won’t just crown a winner — they will reveal which emerging cricket nation is ready to take the next significant step.
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