In a revolutionary move, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has equal prize money for men and women edition of World Cups. The winner of the Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will get a cash prize of USD 2.34 million (Rs 19.6 crore approximately).
There is a 134 per cent increase in the prize money. In the last edition of the T20 World Cup in 2023, Meg Lanning-led Australia beat South Africa to win the trophy. Australia got prize money of 1 USD million.
"The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will be the first ICC event where women will receive the same prize money as their male counterparts, marking a significant milestone in the sport's history," said the ICC.
"The decision was taken at the ICC Annual Conference in July 2023, when the ICC Board took the step of reaching its prize money equity target seven years ahead of its schedule of 2030, making cricket the only major team sport to have equal prize money for its men's and women's World Cup events."
Earlier this year, Rohit Sharma's India beat South Africa in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 final to end their trophy drought. They received a cash prize of USD 2.45 million.
Cash prize for rest of teams
The runner-ups of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will get USD 1.17 million compared to last edition's USD 500,000. Also, the two losing semifinalists will get USD 675,000. The overall prize money for the major event is USD 7,958,080. ALso, the other teams will get USD 31,154 each.
"This move is in line with the ICC’s strategy to prioritise the women’s game and accelerate its growth by 2032. Teams will now receive equal prize money for the equivalent finishing position at comparable events as well as the same amount for winning a match at those events," the ICC added.
When will Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 begin?
The Women's T20 World Cup 2024 will begin on October 3 at Sharjah Cricket Stadium with hosts Bangladesh taking on Scotland. Harmanpreet Kaur-led India will start their campaign against New Zealand on October 4. The final of the tournament will be played on October 20.
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