The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales is officially 100 days away. To mark the countdown, Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, which is set to host the tournament opener between England and Sri Lanka, displayed a timer ticking down to the opening match on June 12.

Iconic cricket venues around the globe, including the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia, Eden Gardens in India, and Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan, also joined in the celebration.

England has a 100 percent success rate when hosting a Women’s World Cup, having won all four previous editions on home soil, including the only time they hosted a T20 World Cup in 2009. Since then, competition in the women’s game has become far more intense. Alongside England and serial winners, Australia, defending T20 world champions New Zealand, along with India and South Africa are all strong contenders, making England’s path to a fifth home World Cup title significantly more challenging.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was present at Edgbaston for the countdown and shared her thoughts, as well as her excitement about playing a home T20 World Cup.

“I think it’s a really exciting time in world cricket for the teams to be competing,” Scive-Brunt told South Asian Herald.

“It feels quite open I suppose in terms of who might make through the groups and into the semi-finals. We’ll certainly have to have our wits about us if we want to be repeating that home World Cup feat.”

India, in particular, has emerged as a major force in women’s cricket. Investment at the grassroots level, the elevation of established stars, and the creation of the WPL culminated beautifully last year when the “girls in blue” won their maiden ODI World Cup title on home soil. 

Sciver-Brunt specifically credited the WPL as a major factor in India’s recent growth. Having played in the premier T20 franchise league herself, representing MI Women, the England skipper believes the competition has provided exposure to young domestic talent better than most countries.

“You can feel that the country was crying for that sort of tournament,” Sciver-Brunt said, speaking about the importance of the WPL.

“The opportunity to play in a tournament where you have all international players and so many youngsters can learn from the people who are in their team or the opposition. Having that platform as a youngster is a massive opportunity. One day you can go and hit the last ball for six and win the game for your team, and the next day, you’re a superstar.”

“It’s a really exciting time for Indian cricket and they’ll certainly be dangerous.”

Two days after England’s opener, India and Pakistan will face one another at Edgbaston. With Birmingham home to one of the largest South Asian populations in England, totaling approximately 252,000 people, the fixture carries significant importance for the community, both within the city and across the country. Currently, Mahika Gaur is the only player of South Asian heritage involved in England’s women’s cricket setup, and an India-Pakistan match could help inspire greater representation within the community.

“India-Pakistan is something you look forward to as a fan to watch in any tournament,” said Sciver-Brunt.

“Hopefully it can inspire some of the youngsters here in England or travelling fans as well just to pick up a bat or ball or continue what they’re doing with cricket.”

“We want to inspire as many people as we can to be excited about the sport, play the sport or just watch the sport, whatever it is.”

With more than three months remaining, excitement for this edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup is already building. With tickets selling quickly and global interest rising, the stage is set for a summer that could redefine the landscape of women’s cricket in England.

“In just 100 days, England and Wales will host the best female cricketers on the planet, for an unmissable sporting spectacle,” said Beth Barrett-Wild, Tournament Director for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, in a press release.

“With over 115,000 tickets already sold, excitement and momentum are building behind a tournament that’s ready to capture the hearts and minds of the nation and propel women’s cricket firmly into the sporting mainstream.”

The 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup runs from June 12 to July 5 in England and Wales.

Teams participating:

• Group A: Australia, Bangladesh, India, Netherlands, Pakistan, South Africa
• Group B: England (H), Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, Sri Lanka, West Indies

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