India are the defending champions, having beaten England in the final of the inaugural tournament in South Africa in 2023. That edition featured the likes of Zaida James and Mahika Gaur, who have both gone on to make their senior debuts for West Indies and England respectively since the tournament.

This edition will see the 16 teams divided across four groups for the first stage of the tournament, which will feature 41 matches in total. Group A will feature India, along with Malaysia as hosts, Sri Lanka and West Indies. England are in Group B with Pakistan, Ireland and USA, while South Africa and New Zealand are the two top teams in Group C, where they will face Nigeria and Samoa. Group D will see Australia pitted against Scotland, Nepal and Bangladesh.

There have been a couple of injury concerns for sides heading into the tournament. Most notably, a stress fracture in her foot forced Ireland captain Amy Hunter to pull out of the competition, with Niamh McNulty replacing her as captain.

Women's U19 World Cup 2025: Complete squads list and key players

Group A

India: Niki Prasad (c), Sanika Chalke, G Trisha, Kamalini G, Bhavika Ahire, Ishwari Awasare, Mithila Vinod, Joshitha VJ, Sonam Yadav, Parunika Sisodiya, Kesari Drithi, Aayushi Shukla, Anandita Kishor, MD Shabnam, Vaishnavi S

Key player: G Trisha - After playing a key role in the U19 side's Asia Cup win, the top-order hard-hitting batter will be looking to get her side off to a strong start in the competition.

Malaysia: Nur Dania Syuhada (c), Nur Izzatul Syafiqa, Irdina Beh, Nur Aliya, Suabika Manivannan, Nur Isma Dania, Siti Nazwah, Nuriman Hidayah, Fatin Faqihah Adani, Marsya Qistina, Nazatul Hidayah Husna, Neserle Yean, Nur Alya Batrisyia, Nur Ain, Nuni Farini

Key player: Siti Nazwah - The leg-spinner put in a strong performance in Malaysia's warm-up game against Australia.

Sri Lanka: Manudi Nanayakkara (c), Rashmika Sewwandi, Sumudu Nisansala, Limansa Thilakaratne, Vimoksha Balasooriya, Hiruni Kumari, Rashmi Nethranjali, Pramudi Methsara, Sanjana Kavindi, Danuli Thennakoon, Dahami Sanethma, Shehara Induwari, Aseni Thalagune, Shashini Gimhani, Chamudi Praboda

Key player: Shashini Gambhani - The 16-year-old became the youngest player ever to represent her national team last year, and her ability to bowl spin with both arms will be a key asset.

West Indies: Samara Ramnath (c), Asabi Callender, Abigail Bryce, Kenika Cassar, Jahzara Claxton, Denella Creese, NaiJanni Cumberbatch, Erin Deane, Amiah Gilbert, Trisha Hardat, Brianna Harricharan, Amrita Ramtahal, Selena Ross, Kristen Sutherland, Aaliyah Weekes

Key player: Asabi Callender - The allrounder is the most exciting player in the West Indies' lineup and will hold the key to her side making it through the group stage.

Group B

England: Abi Norgrove (c), Phoebe Brett, Olivia Brinsden, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Trudy Johnson, Katie Jones, Charlotte Lambert, Eve O’Neill, Davina Perrin, Jemima Spence, Charlotte Stubbs, Amuruthaa Surenkumar, Prisha Thanawala, Erin Thomas, Grace Thompson

Key player: Davina Perrin - Retained from the tournament two years ago, Perrin has had two solid outings in the English domestic structure and experience in The Hundred in between.

Ireland: Niamh MacNulty (c), Ally Boucher, Abbi Harrison, Jennifer Jackson, Rebecca Lowe, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Ellie McGee, Julie McNally, Lucy Neely, Freya Sargent, Millie Spence, Annabel Squires, Alice Walsh, Genevieve Morrissey

Key player: Annabel Squires - Squires last memory of the U19 World Cup will be the half-century she made in the final game of the last edition.

Pakistan: Komal Khan (c), Zoofishan Ayyaz, Aleesa Mukhtiar, Areesha Ansari, Fatima Khan, Haniah Ahmer, Maham Anees, Mahnoor Zeb, Memoona Khalid, Minahil, Quratulain, Ravail Farhan, Shahar Bano, Tayyaba Imdad, Wasifa Hussain

Key player: Mahnoor Zeb - at just 15-years-old, Mahnoor's action has been compared to Jasprit Bumrah's, and she is set to be a lethal force with the new ball.

USA: Anika Reddy Kolan (c), Aditiba Chudasama, Chetna Reddy Pagydyala, Chetnaa G Prasad, Disha Dhingra, Isani Mahesh Vaghela, Lekha Hanumant Shetty, Maahi Madhavan, Nikhar Pinku Doshi, Pooja Ganesh, Pooja Shah, Ritu Priya Singh, Saanvi Immadi, Sasha Vallabhaneni, Suhani Thadani

Key player: Chetna Pagydyala - Pagyadyala already has a senior ODI century under her belt.

Group C

New Zealand: Tash Wakelin (c), Elizabeth Buchanan, Kate Chandler, Sophie Court, Hannah Francis, Kate Irwin, Rishika Jaswal, Louisa Kotkamp, Ayaan Lambat, Emma McLeod, Hannah O’Connor, Darcy-Rose Prasad, Anika Tauwhare, Anika Todd, Eve Wolland

Key player: Kate Irwin - A pace-bowling allrounder, Irwin will be central to New Zealand's campaign, and the second member of her family to play in a women's U19 World Cup.

Nigeria: Lucky Piety (c), Adeshola Adekunle, Peculiar Agboya, Anointed Akhigbe, Amusa Kehinde, Deborah Bassey (wk), Jessica Bieni, Christabel Chukwuonye, Omosigho Eguakun, Victory Igbinedion, Naomi Memeh, Beauty Oguai, Lilian Ude, Usen Peace, Umoh Inyene

Key player: Victory Igbinedion - The standout in the batting lineup, she was particularly effective in Nigeria's warm-up games in Malaysia.

Samoa: Avetia Fetu Mapu (c), Olive Lefaga Lemoe, Verra Farane, Angel Sootaga So, Norah-Jade Salima, Stefania Pauga, Jane Tali'ilagi Manase, Masina Tafea, Silepea Polataivao, Katrina Uiese Taa Samu, Stella Sagalala, Barbara Ella Keresoma, Apolonia K Polataivao, Selina Lilo, Sala Viliamu

Key player: Angel Sootaga So - Already with senior international experience under her belt, Sootaga So was part of Samoa's squad in the qualifiers for the last T20 World Cup.

South Africa: Kayla Reyneke (c), Jemma Botha, Fay Cowling, Jae-Leigh Filander, Mona-Lisa Legodi, Simoné Lourens, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Diara Ramlakan, Diedré van Rensburg, Mieke van Voorst, Ashleigh van Wyk, Chanel Venter

Key player: Monalisa Legodi - With success in South African domestic cricket behind her, Legodi is set to be a big part of South Africa's campaign.

Group D

Australia: Lucy Hamilton (c) Chloe Ainsworth, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Caoimhe Bray, Ella Briscoe, Maggie Clark, Hasrat Gill, Amy Hunter, Sara Kennedy, Eleanor Larosa, Grace Lyons, Ines McKeon, Juliette Morton, Kate Pelle, Tegan Williamson

Key player: Lucy Hamilton - In November, Hamilton became the youngest player ever to take a five-for in the WBBL.

Bangladesh: Sumaiya Akter (c), Afia Ashima Era, Mst Eva, Fahomida Choya, Habiba Islam Pinky, Juairiya Ferdous, Fariya Akter, Farjana Easmin, Anisa Akter Soba, Sumaiya Akther Suborna, Nishita Akter Nishi, Lucky Khatun, Jannatul Maoua, Sadia Akter, Sadia Islam

Key player: Sumaiya Akter - The 19-year-old has made her debut for Bangladesh's senior side in both T20Is and ODIs.

Nepal: Puja Mahato (c), Sony Pakhrin, Tirsana BK, Rachana Chaudhary, Sabitri Dhami, Krishma Gurung, Kusum Godar, Seemana KC, Anu Kadayat, Kiran Kunwar, Sneha Mahara, Jyotsnika Marasini, Sana Praveen, Riya Sharma, Alisha Yadav

Key player: Riya Sharma - Sharma claimed three wickets in Nepal's warm-up game against USA.

Scotland: Niamh Muir (c), Amelie Baldie, Molly Barbour-Smith, Gabriella Fontenla, Lucy Forrester Smith, Pippa Kelly, Maisie Maceira, Kirsty McColl, Charlotte Nevard, Mollie Parker, Nayma Sheikh, Rosie Speedy, Pippa Sproul, Ruth McKay, Emma Walsingham

Key player: Niamh Muir is back for her second edition of the tournament, and has now stepped up to captain the side.

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