<h5>What is the history of women’s cricket?</h5>  <p>Cricket has its origins in 17th century south-eastern England. British colonialists are responsible for introducing the sport in its former colonies, such as North America, the West Indies, Australia, India, etc. 
While international men’s cricket took off during the 19th century, female cricketers played their first test match in 1934. The establishment of the International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC) in 1958 gave women's cricket the much-needed impetus.
India jumped on the female cricket bandwagon quite late. It was only in 1973 that an entrepreneur, Mahendra Kumar Sharma, set up the Women’s Cricket Association of India (WCAI).
Subsequently, it took the Indian national women’s cricket team 17 years to secure its first victory in a One Day International series against New Zealand in 1995. Since then, Indian female cricketers have made great strides on the field.</p> <h5>What is the Women’s Asia Cup?</h5>  <p>The Women’s Asia Cup started as a 50-over ODI cricket tournament in 2004. The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) is responsible for organising it. Since 2012, the Asia Cup has followed the T20 format.</p>
<p>The tournament usually involves six teams, though this year saw the entry of a seventh team. The 2022 championship also saw UAE participating for the very first time.</p>
<p>The Asia Cup has witnessed the participation of countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, Maldives, Hong Kong, Nepal, and Malaysia. However, India and Bangladesh are the only countries to emerge victorious. This year saw India lifting the trophy for the seventh time.</p> <h5>What is the role of sports in nation-building?</h5>  <p>Sports stir up feelings of patriotism in people. They create an inclusive atmosphere by bridging the gap between people from different regions of the country.
Watching or playing a sport helps cultivate good values like competitive spirit, teamwork, leadership, and ethical behaviour. Studies show that sporting activities enhance physical and emotional development during childhood.
Sportspersons exercise wide-ranging influence over society due to their massive fan followings. As role models, sportspersons can promote good causes and set an example for the youth. For instance, Sachin Tendulkar refused to endorse cigarettes or alcohol-related products despite being offered millions of rupees.
The sports industry creates many job opportunities and boosts a country's economy. Sporting tournaments help forge peaceful relationships between countries. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is an excellent example of cricket bringing players and fans of different nations together.</p> <h5>What did we learn from this article?</h5>  <p>We learned that women’s cricket has a long history dating to 18th-century England. Though it spread to India during British rule, it was only in the post-independence period that female cricket gained popularity. 
Sports bring people and nations together. They impart good values and contribute to our country’s economic growth.</p>
<p>What is your favourite sport? How often do you play it? Do tell us in the comments below. 
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India beats Sri Lanka to win the ACC’s Women’s Asia Cup 2022. Let’s read more about women’s cricket and the importance of sports in our lives!

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