With only four days until the start of the inaugural ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup, the excitement among the 16 competing teams in South Africa is building.
The tournament represents a significant step forward in the development of the women's game, and the opportunity is not lost on the future stars, who are hoping to win their first U19 Women's T20 World Cup.
"It's fantastic to see an Under-19 Women's World Cup get underway. It is, in my opinion, a necessary step in the advancement of the women's game."
"In an era of increasing professionalism, it is critical to see the development of an international pathway - one that gives emerging players a taste of what international cricket and tournament life is like," Ireland captain Amy Hunter said.
As more doors open for players as a result of advancements spearheaded by the ICC and Member Boards from around the world, stepping stones like an U19 Women's T20 World Cup make the transition into professional cricket less intimidating.
"We consider this inaugural World Cup as a great opportunity for our girls to showcase their talent on the international stage, at a younger age. The tournament is also a good stepping stone for promoting women's cricket, not only in Sri Lanka but globally. It is a real inspiration for the younger generation," stated Sri Lanka captain Vishmi Gunaratne.
West Indies captain Ashmini Munisar stated that tournaments like this one allow the women's game to grow in the Caribbean. "This tournament is important because it encourages young women to keep playing because you never know what you can achieve. Tournaments like this one also assist the national team in identifying new talent for the senior team."
There are additional reasons for Bangladesh to be optimistic about an U19 T20 World Cup on South African soil, as they attempt to repeat what their male counterparts did in 2020.
"Our brothers were Under19 World Cup champions in 2020, and that too was in South Africa. I am not saying that we will win the Cup, but that triumph is a fantastic reference point."
"There are strong teams in this tournament, and Australia is a big name. I have a good feeling about my team, and I believe we are going to be very competitive in this World Cup," concluded Bangladesh captain Disha Biswas.