Dubai
The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai has set a new attendance record, drawing 15,935 fans to the group stage match on October 6. This marks the highest attendance ever for a group stage match in the tournament’s history, report said on Thursday.
Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, India triumphed over their arch-rivals, winning by six wickets while comfortably chasing down a target of 106 with seven balls to spare. Despite this victory, India did not advance to the semi-finals, as defending champions Australia and New Zealand moved on from Group A.
The 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup has been a landmark event, attracting a total of 91,030 fans throughout the tournament—an impressive 30% increase from the previous edition. The thrilling final, where New Zealand emerged victorious over South Africa, saw 21,457 spectators in attendance, a remarkable 68% rise from the last final held in South Africa.
The group stages and semi-finals collectively drew 69,573 fans, reflecting a 21% increase compared to the last tournament. This strong turnout underscores the growing global appeal of women’s cricket.
‘The atmosphere in the stadium showcased the UAE’s passion for high-level sports events, highlighting the expanding interest in women’s cricket,’ said ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice. He emphasized that the impressive attendance demonstrates the increasing global support for women’s cricket and the region’s potential to host elite women’s sports events.
