Scotland and Ireland Qualify for Women's T20 World Cup
Scotland and Ireland have punched their tickets to this summer's Women's T20 World Cup after dominant victories in Nepal. The qualifying tournament saw both teams secure their spots among the world's best cricket nations for the tournament happening in England this June and July.
Two underdog cricket teams just proved they belong on the world stage, and their victories are opening doors for women's sports across Europe.
Scotland and Ireland both qualified for the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup after commanding wins on Sunday in Nepal. The qualifying tournament determined which four teams would join the elite competition taking place in England from June 12 to July 5.
Ireland defeated Thailand by 62 runs to secure their fifth World Cup appearance. Openers Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter set the pace with 24 and 25 runs respectively, while Orla Prendergast added 24 more to set a target of 121.
The real fireworks came from Arlene Kelly, who celebrated her 100th cap in style. She took four wickets for just seven runs, including two wickets in consecutive balls, to seal Ireland's victory.
Scotland crushed the USA by 41 runs with an impressive team performance. Darcey Carter led the charge with 52 runs, supported by Ailsa Lister's 43 and Priyanaz Chatterji's 32, pushing Scotland to 178 runs.
The USA never threatened Scotland's target as the bowling attack shared the spoils. Kathryn Bryce, Priyanaz Chatterji, Rachel Slatter, and Chloe Abel each took two wickets to shut down any comeback hopes.
This marks only the second time Scotland has qualified for the T20 World Cup, having made their debut just two years ago. For Ireland, it's a triumphant return after missing out on the 2024 tournament.
The Ripple Effect
These qualifications represent more than just two teams advancing in a tournament. Scotland and Ireland's success showcases the growing depth of women's cricket beyond traditional powerhouses like Australia, India, and England.
Their presence at the World Cup will inspire young girls across both nations to pick up a cricket bat. It also proves that sustained investment in women's sports programs pays off, even for smaller cricket nations.
Both teams now join Bangladesh and the Netherlands as the four qualifiers ready to compete against the world's best this summer.
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Based on reporting by Sky Sports
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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