Ireland and Scotland both booked their places at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with victories on the final day of the qualifying event.
Ireland comfortably beat Thailand by 62 runs to seal their ticket to this summer’s tournament, before Scotland got past the USA by 41 runs.
Bangladesh also wrapped up their campaign with a seven-wicket win over the Netherlands to ensure they finished with a perfect record in Nepal, with both sides already qualified ahead of the encounter.
Ireland qualify in style
Ireland showed no signs of any final day nerves, as they swept past Thailand to ensure qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Arlene Kelly and Lara McBride starred with the ball, finishing with four for seven and three for six respectively, as Thailand were bowled out for 59 in pursuit of 122.
Ireland made a steady start in Kirtipur, with opener Amy Hunter hitting 24 off 15 balls before falling while Gaby Lewis (25) and Orla Prendergast (24) both made starts before departing in consecutive overs.
Ireland then fell from 79 for three to 96 for seven before a late flurry from Louise Little (14) and Jane Maguire (15 not out) pushed the final total to 121 for eight.
It ultimately mattered little, as Thailand struggled to threaten with the bat.
Openers Natthakan Chantham (8) and Nannaphat Chaihan (0) both departed inside two overs to leave Thailand eight for two.
Capain Naruemol Chaiwai (22) and Nannapat Koncharoenkai (15) were able to steady the ship but wickets continued to fall around them.
Kelly swept through the middle order as Thailand slipped from 51 for five to 59 all out.
Scotland get past USA
Scotland then followed Ireland in booking their place at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a 41-run victory over the USA.
Opener Darcey Carter crashed 52 off 34 balls to help Scotland to an imposing 178 for eight, which proved more than enough as the USA were dismissed for 137 in reply.
Carter set the tone from the off for Scotland and built the perfect foundations despite the loss of Katherine Fraser (17) and Kathyrn Bryce (0) in consecutive balls to Tara Norris.
Ailsa Lister took up the mantle, hitting 43 off 32 while Priyanaz Chatterji hit 39 off 28 as big hitting drove Scotland to their biggest total of the qualifier.
They then made the perfect start with the ball as Disha Dhingra fell second ball to Bryce, but the USA rebuilt through Chetna Pagydyala (24) and Ella Claridge (35).
They then fell in consecutive overs and the USA struggled to keep pace with the required run rate, eventually finishing all out for 137 with an over to spare.
Bangladesh maintain perfect record
Bangladesh made it seven wins from seven to seal top spot at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier with a comfortable seven-wicket win over the Netherlands.
Both sides had already sealed qualification but a place at the top of the table was on offer, and Nigar Sultana Joty produced a captain’s innings to drive her side to victory.
Nigar hit an unbeaten half century off just 44 balls and paired superbly with Sobhana Mostary (33 not out) as Bangladesh easily reached their target with three overs to spare.
Some economical bowling restricted the Netherlands to 102 from their 20 overs despite the best efforts of Robine Rijke (39) and Sanya Khurana, who retired hurt on 43.
However, no other batter reached double figures as Nahida Akter took three for 10 including the top order wickets of Heather Siegers (1) and Babette De Leede (4).
That left Bangladesh with 103 to win and despite the early losses of Dilara Akter (4) and Juairiya Ferdous (0) in the opening two overs, Nigar and Sobhana combined to seal a perfect qualifying campaign for Bangladesh.
Scores in brief
Ireland v Thailand at Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Ireland 121/8 in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 25, Amy Hunter 24; Suleeporn Laomi 4/24, Sunida Chaturongrattana 2/23)
Thailand 59 all out in 16.1 overs (Naruemol Chaiwai 22, Nannapat Koncharoenkai 15; Arlene Kelly 4/7, Lara McBride 3/6)
Result: Ireland win by 62 runs
Cosmo
Australia has produced many rugby legends, including David Campese, John Eales, and George Gregan. Campese, a prolific try-scorer and skilful winger, held the record for the most tries scored in test matches for Australia (64) until it was surpassed by Adam Ashley-Cooper in 2019. John Eales, known as “Nobody,” is a revered Wallabies captain who led the team to their second Rugby World Cup victory in 1999. George Gregan, a scrum-half, holds the record for the most appearances for the Wallabies with 139 caps.
Tacklebox
Sport Trivia: Which South African athelete won the 100 metres at the Olympic Games in London in 1908? Answer: Reggie Walker won the 100 metres at the Olympic Games in London in 1908, the first South African, and the first African, to win the Olympic 100 metres title.