Ireland Women Clinch Crucial T20 Qualifier Victory Against USA
The Netherlands won a final-ball thriller against Nepal, triumphing by just two runs in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier.
Ireland beat the USA by 16 runs, Scotland picked up their first win of the tournament and Bangladesh remained undefeated and moved top of the Group A table.
Ireland Women produced a composed all-round performance to secure a 16-run victory over the United States of America Women in their Group A encounter of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 at the Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu, on Wednesday night.
After winning the toss, Ireland opener Amy Hunter began positively, striking three boundaries in her brisk 18 off 13 balls, but her dismissal at 27 signaled the start of a brief wobble. That wobble deepened when Orla Prendergast was dismissed first ball, leaving Ireland two wickets down with little on the board.
Captain Gaby Lewis responded with authority, anchoring the innings through the powerplay and middle overs. Her fluent 42 from 32 deliveries, featuring four fours and a six, restored stability and momentum. Lewis found her perfect foil in Leah Paul, who produced the defining innings of the match. Calm under pressure, Paul paced her knock expertly, rotating strike and punishing loose deliveries to compile a superb 67 off 52 balls, an effort that earned her the Player of the Match award.
The Lewis-Paul partnership carried Ireland past the 100-run mark, but the USA bowlers ensured there was no late collapse. Tara Norris led the attack with outstanding figures of 3 for 10, applying constant pressure and removing key batters. Despite losing wickets late, Ireland finished strongly through quick runs from Rebecca Stokell and a rapid cameo from Arlene Kelly, posting a competitive 154 for 7.
Chasing 155, the USA Women began with intent. Disha Dhingra and Ella Claridge struck early boundaries, but Ireland’s bowlers tightened the screws in the powerplay. Ava Canning made immediate inroads, claiming two wickets and slowing the scoring rate. The middle overs became a struggle as Aimee Maguire and Lara McBride bowled with control, forcing risky shots.
The USA’s hopes rested on Ritu Singh, who played a bold innings of 41 from 30 balls, including two sixes that briefly revived the chase. However, her dismissal in the 20th over effectively ended the contest. Arlene Kelly delivered the decisive spell, finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 20, repeatedly breaking partnerships at crucial moments.
Despite a late push, the USA closed on 138 for 8, falling short by 16 runs. Ireland’s blend of composure with the bat and discipline with the ball proved decisive, strengthening their position in the qualification race and underlining their growing consistency in pressure situations.
Scores in brief
Nepal v Netherlands, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal
Netherlands 140/5 in 20 overs (Babette De Leede 49, Sterre Kalis 30; Rubina Chhetry 2/21, Riya Sharma 1/13)
Nepal 138/7 in 20 overs (Rubina Chhetry 37, Sita Magar 27; Isabel Van Der Woning 3/16, Caroline De Lange 1/17)
Result: Netherlands win by two runs
Ireland v USA, Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu, Nepal
Ireland 154/7 in 20 overs (Leah Paul 67, Gaby Lewis 42; Tara Norris 3/10, Taranum Chopra 1/18)
USA 138/8 in 20 overs (Ritu Singh 41, Chetna Pagydyala 22; Arlene Kelly 4/20, Ava Canning 2/11)
Result: Ireland win by 16 runs
Scotland v Zimbabwe, Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu, Nepal
Zimbabwe 101 all out in 18.4 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 30 not out, Chiedza Dhururu 22; Abtaha Maqsood 2/14, Rachel Slater 2/15)
Scotland 105/5 in 13.4 overs (Katherine Fraser 44, Kathryn Bryce 23; Loreen Tshuma 3/25, Nyasha Gwanzura 1/16)
Result: Scotland win by five wickets
Bangladesh v Namibia, Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal
Bangladesh 144/7 in 20 overs (Sobhana Mostary 27, Dilara Akter 25; Sylvia Shihepo 2/21, Saima Tuhadeleni 2/34)
Namibia 64 all out in 17.5 overs (Sune Wittmann 19, Merczerly Gorases 12; Shanjida Akther Maghla 4/14, Rabeya Khan 3/5)
Result: Bangladesh win by 80 runs
