The Women's T20 World Cup 2026 started in spectacular fashion on Friday. England faced Sri Lanka in the tournament opener at Edgbaston. However, before the cricket began, fans enjoyed a vibrant opening ceremony filled with music and theatre.

The event added excitement and energy to the start of the month-long tournament.

Sri Lanka Opt to Bowl First

First, the two captains walked out for the toss. Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and chose to bowl. The pitch looked excellent for batting. Nevertheless, Sri Lanka decided to field first and test England's batting line-up.

Soon after the toss, the focus shifted to the opening ceremony.

Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen Light Up the Stage

Next, theatre stars Emma Kingston and Zizi Strallen took centre stage. The duo appeared as Elphaba and Glinda, the famous characters from the hit musical Wicked. Organisers had set up a special stage outside the boundary line for the performance.

As a result, spectators enjoyed a unique mix of sport and entertainment.

Wicked Performance Delights the Crowd

Meanwhile, Kingston and Strallen performed some of the most popular songs from Wicked. Their performance brought music, drama and theatrical flair to the event. The crowd watched closely and responded with loud applause.

Moreover, the show created a memorable atmosphere at Edgbaston and added a special touch to the World Cup celebrations.

Attention Turns to Cricket

After the performance ended, the focus returned to the match. England Women prepared to begin their innings against Sri Lanka Women in the first game of the tournament.

With the opening ceremony complete, the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 officially got underway. Now, fans can look forward to a month of thrilling cricket as the world's top teams battle for the trophy.