Women's World Cup schedule out: Sylhet to host the opener, final in Chattogram

The schedule for the Women's World Cup has been published, and it brings especially good news for Sylhet. The tournament's opening match will be held in Sylhet, while Chattogram has been confirmed as the venue for the final.

According to the published schedule, matches at this edition will be played across four venues in total. The venues are spread across Sylhet, Chattogram and Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal — meaning the tournament will not be confined to a single city, but shared between several cities and two countries.

Choosing Sylhet as the venue for the opening match is a major recognition for sport in the region. For cricket lovers across Sylhet Division, the chance to watch the first match of a World Cup on home soil will undoubtedly be a special experience.

The tournament's most attractive fixture, the final, will meanwhile be played in Chattogram. Both the beginning and the end of the event will therefore take place in two of Bangladesh's divisional cities, which is significant for the country's cricket.

Sylhet has long been known as a regular venue for international and domestic cricket. The city's ground has hosted various international matches and tournaments before, and the enthusiasm of local spectators has always drawn attention.

The popularity of women's cricket in Bangladesh has been growing steadily. Alongside the success of the national women's team, interest in girls' cricket at the grassroots level has also risen, and an event like the World Cup is expected to push that interest further.

Hosting the opening match means the eyes of the cricketing world will be on Sylhet right at the start of the tournament. The opening ceremony, the arrival of the teams and the presence of spectators will together create a festive atmosphere in the city.

With Kathmandu among the four venues, the tournament also takes on a regional character. Split between grounds in Bangladesh and Nepal, the event will add a new dimension to the spread of women's cricket in South Asia.

Such events also matter for the local economy. The arrival of spectators, teams and officials around World Cup matches brings activity to hotels, transport and small businesses, benefiting the host city.

With the schedule now out, attention turns to the teams' preparations and the final readiness of the venues. Cricket fans in Sylhet are now waiting for the day of the opening match, when the Women's World Cup contest begins on home ground.