Free entry for fans in Women's Asia Cup 2024; India vs Pakistan match on July 19

In good news for the fans, the upcoming Women's Asia Cup 2024 will have free entry into the stadiums. All the matches in the tournament will be played in Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

The tournament comprises eight teams with four teams divided into two groups each. Group A consists of India, Pakistan, UAE, and Nepal while Group B will have hosts Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Thailand.

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Free entry for fans in Women's Asia Cup 2024

According to a media release, all the games in the tournament will be broadcast live on several international platforms and the stadium will have free tickets for the fans to promote women's sport in the region.

"All the games will be broadcast live across international platforms, and the stadium will be kept open for the public to enter for free in order to witness the games," the media release stated.

Ravin Wickramaratne has been appointed as the tournament director by the executive committee of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC). Wickramaratne is also the vice-president of Sri Lanka Cricket.

"Sri Lanka Cricket, with the support of the Asian Cricket Council, is planning to conduct a highly successful tournament, as a successful outcome of this tournament will help advance women's cricket on the world stage," Wickramaratne said.

India will be favourites for the title

The tournament will begin on July 19 with Nepal facing United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the opening game. India will face Pakistan later in the day in probably the biggest clash of the league stage.

Overall, 15 matches will be played in the tournament, which also includes two semi-finals and the final. The semi-finals will be played on July 26 while the final match will be played on July 28.

The group stage will run from July 19 to July 24 with each team playing the other team in the group once. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals. India will play Pakistan on July 19, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on July 21, and Nepal on July 23.

The Indian squad will be led by Harmanpreet Kaur while Smriti Mandhana will be the vice-captain. Richa Ghosh and Uma Chetry were the two wicket-keepers in the squad while Shweta Sehrawat, Saika Ishaque, Tanuja Kanwer, and Meghna Singh will be the travelling reserves.

India are the most successful side in the history of the Women's Asia Cup with seven titles to their name in eight editions. The only time they couldn't win the title was in 2018 when they lost to Bangladesh in the final.

India are also the defending champions of the tournament as they won the 2022 Women's Asia Cup by defeating Sri Lanka in the final. The 2022 edition of the tournament was played in Bangladesh.

India is the favourite to win the title this time around as well as they boast a strong squad with a good mix of youth and experience.