PNG and Nepal Keep Qualification Hopes Alive

Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Nepal both sealed final-over victories to keep their hopes alive in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier.

PNG beat Namibia with a thrilling run chase, before hosts Nepal were able to get past Zimbabwe.

Bangladesh stayed perfect with victory over Ireland, while Scotland boosted their qualification hopes with a win over Thailand.

PNG edge thriller to keep hopes alive

PNG beat Namibia with just two balls to spare to keep their Super 6 hopes alive.
Isabel Toua held her nerve to find the winning boundary in the final over to clinch a three-wicket victory for her side.

Namibia had set a target of 123 for victory, with opener Jurriene Diergaardt leading the way with 36.

Diergaardt stayed until the 15^th over before she was trapped leg before by Dika Lohia, as Namibia eventually finished on 122 for five.

PNG got off to the perfect start in response through openers Hollan Doriga (39) and Konio Oala (20), who put on 58 for the first wicket.

They quickly slipped from 72 for two to 79 for five, with Sylvia Shihepo claiming three wickets in a devastating spell.

However, Sibona Jimmy (15) was able to steady the ship before Toua hit 15 off just 12 balls to ensure Papua New Guinea squeezed home.

Nepal remain in the hunt

Nepal gave themselves a chance of reaching the Super 6 with a six-wicket victory over Zimbabwe, who can no longer qualify.

Kelis Ndhlovu hit an unbeaten 52 off just 36 balls, and her partnership with Beloved Biza (34) was key to Zimbabwe’s run chase.

They looked well-placed for a big score before Puja Mahato removed Biza and Loreen Tshuma (0) was removed by Rubina Chhetry shortly after.

Ndhlovu continued undeterred but some disciplined bowling and two wickets for Riya Sharma allowed Nepal to limit Zimbabwe to 129.

Nepal looked to score quickly through openers Samjhana Khadka (9) and Bindu Rawal (15) before Mahato took charge.

She anchored the innings with an unbeaten 52 alongside captain Indu Barma (22) and found the boundary to hit the winning runs in the final over.

Bangladesh stay unbeaten

Bangladesh maintained their perfect record with a nine-run victory over Ireland.

A sparkling half-century from Sharmin Akhter, alongside key contributions from Dilara Akter (35) and Sobhana Mostary (30) helped Bangladesh to 153 for seven from their 20 overs.

That proved too much for Ireland, who fell just short in their chase despite captain Gaby Lewis leading the way with a brilliant 73.

Lewis hit 11 boundaries, including one maximum, off her 58 balls to drive Ireland most of the way alongside Amy Hunter (35 not out) before she fell to Rabeya Khan in the penultimate over.

That proved the decisive breakthrough as Bangladesh saw out the final over to seal top spot in Group A.

Scotland take step towards Super 6

Scotland eased past Thailand with a five-wicket victory to take a big step towards the Super 6.

Thailand struggled to get their innings going, as Aphisara Suwanchonrathi fell first ball to Kathryn Bryce.

They were further reduced to 26 for three before captain Naruemol Chaiwai took charge to pull her side to a defendable total.

Chaiwai crashed an unbeaten 73 off 55 balls and put on a strong partnership with Chanida Sutthiruang (22), as Thailand ultimately set Scotland 119 for victory.

They made the perfect start to their defence as Darcey Carter (0) was run out on the third ball, before Kathryn Bryce fell for eight the next over.

But Katherine Fraser’s quickfire 41 helped Scotland take control, before Sarah Bryce’s unbeaten 52 guided Scotland home with five overs to spare.

Scores in brief:

Thailand v Scotland, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal

Thailand 118 for six in 20 overs (Naruemol Chaiwai 73 not out, Chanida Sutthiruang 22; Katherine Fraser 2/25, Kathryn Bryce 1/11)

Scotland 124 for five in 14.4 overs (Sarah Bryce 52 not out, Katherine Fraser 41; Suleeporn Laomi 3/39, Thipatcha Putthawong 1/22)

Result: Scotland win by five wickets

Papua New Guinea v Namibia, Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu, Nepal

Namibia 122 for five in 20 overs (Jurriene Diergaardt 36, Wilka Mwatile 23; Sibona Jimmy 2/18, Dika Lohia 1/9)

Papua New Guinea 124 for seven in 19.4 overs (Hollan Doriga 39, Konio Oala 20; Sylvia Shihepo 3/8, Jurriene Diergaardt 1/18)

Result: Papua New Guinea win by three wickets

Nepal v Zimbabwe, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal

Zimbabwe 129 for six in 20 overs (Kelis Ndhlovu 52 not out, Beloved Biza 34; Riya Sharma 2/25, Kabita Kunwar 1/16)

Nepal 133 for four in 19.3 overs (Puja Mahato 52 not out, Indu Barma 22; Josephine Nkomo 2/28, Christabel Chatonzwa 1/19)

Result: Nepal win by six wickets

Bangladesh v Ireland, Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu, Nepal

Bangladesh 153 for seven in 20 overs (Sharmin Akhter 52, Dilara Akter 35; Jane Maguire 2/24, Arlene Kelly 2/44)

Ireland 144 for four in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 73, Amy Hunter 35; Shorna Akter 2/17, Rabeya Khan 1/34)

Result: Bangladesh win by nine runs