Media Release

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is thrilled to announce that Olympic gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi has been appointed as the official event ambassador for the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup Malaysia 2025. This tournament promises to showcase the talents of future cricket stars.

Farah Ann, a leading figure in Malaysian sports, is eager to inspire her fellow Malaysians to embrace cricket. “It’s such an honour to be a part of this exciting tournament. I’m thrilled to watch the matches and see young women make their mark on the international stage,” she expressed.

She continued, “This is an interesting opportunity for me. Malaysia has been proactive in promoting women in sports. I’ve been deeply involved with the gymnastics community, and to extend that passion to cricket and other sports for women is wonderful.”

Farah Ann highlighted Malaysia’s strong support for its teams, saying, “I’m excited for Malaysians to come out and support the women athletes and the entire competition. It’s a great opportunity for the Malaysian public to witness an international event like the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup firsthand.”

Cricket’s global popularity has surged, and the sport is set to make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games. Farah Ann, who competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, believes cricket will shine on this prestigious stage.

“The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics speaks volumes about its global reach and readiness to return to the Games. The Olympics is the pinnacle of sport, and cricket’s presence there is a perfect match,” she remarked.

Reflecting on her Olympic experience, she added, “Participating in the Olympics was the pinnacle of my career. It was a moment to thank everyone who supported me and to see our hard work pay off. It was a stamp of pride and an incredible experience.”

Farah Ann hopes to impart her Olympic lessons to the young cricketers she meets during the World Cup. “Sport is about competition, but it’s also about community and support. Representing your country on a global stage is an honour, and I wish all the players the best as they aim to become champions.”

ICC Chief Executive, Geoff Allardice, Comments

ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice stated, “We are proud to deliver the second edition of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia. The tournament celebrates the future stars of our game and is a crucial step in their journey to becoming professional cricketers. Malaysia is an emerging cricket nation, and we hope this event will inspire greater participation and attract new fans.”

He added, “Farah Ann Abdul Hadi is a respected and accomplished gymnast who has represented Malaysia with pride. We are delighted to have her as the tournament’s official ambassador, exemplifying excellence and determination.”

India will defend their championship title as one of sixteen teams competing in the 41-match event across four venues in Malaysia. The tournament will run from 18 January to 2 February 2025, offering a platform for the future stars of women’s cricket to shine.