Nagaland to host Sr Women’s Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy for first time

The Nagaland Cricket Association (NCA), under the aegis of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), is set to host the IDFC First Bank Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy from November 4 to 14, marking the first time the premier domestic women’s T20 tournament to be held in the state.
Announcing the tournament at a press conference at the NCA Conference Hall on Monday, honorary secretary of NCA, Hyunilo Anilo Khing, said that six zonal teams — North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East — featuring both national and international women cricketers, will compete for the title.
The matches will be played across two venues — the Nagaland Cricket Stadium and the Sovima Cricket Ground.
Khing informed that a total of 132 players and support staff will participate in the championship. Each day will feature three matches, with the first two beginning at 11:00 a.m. and the third at 4:00 p.m.
He described the event as a “destination tournament” for Nagaland, noting that the state’s selection as host reflects growing confidence in its cricketing infrastructure.
“For a state like Nagaland, located in the easternmost corner of the country, being entrusted with hosting a top-tier domestic tournament is a matter of great significance and pride,” Khing said.
Expressing gratitude to the BCCI leadership and chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC), Jay Shah, Khing thanked them for entrusting Nagaland with the responsibility of hosting the event.
He also acknowledged the support and patronage of chief minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio, chief patron and former president of NCA, whose leadership, he said, has played a key role in the state’s cricketing development.
Highlighting Nagaland’s facilities, Khing stated that it remains the only state in the Northeast with three well-equipped cricket grounds — the Nagaland Cricket Stadium, Sovima Cricket Ground, and JNR Ground — all located within a one-kilometer radius inside the Centre for Sports Excellence, which has been dedicated to the people of Nagaland.
He further informed that the BCCI chief curator, Bhowmick, has curated the pitch for the event, and that national selectors and BCCI officials will be present during the tournament.
The NCA, Khing said, has been preparing for the event for over a month, ensuring all arrangements meet BCCI standards. He added that hosting such a tournament marks a significant milestone for Nagaland’s sporting aspirations.
“This tournament will bring some of the best women cricketers in India to play on Naga soil for the first time,” he said.
Khing extended his congratulations to the Indian women’s cricket team for their historic ICC World Cup victory in Navi Mumbai, describing it as a “landmark moment” for women’s cricket in the country and comparing its significance to India’s 1983 World Cup triumph.