The battle for European supremacy heads to the Super Six of the Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier as Ireland and Scotland lock horns in a high-stakes encounter. According to the current standings, Scotland finds themselves in a slightly better position at 3rd place despite having the same two points as Ireland. This is thanks to their superior Net Run Rate (NRR) of 1.029, bolstered by a clinical win earlier in the tournament. Ireland, sitting in 4th, comes into this game after a mixed bag of results—a tough loss followed by a gritty win. Both teams have played two games in this phase, and with only two points separating them from the top of the table, this match is effectively a must-win to stay in the hunt for a top two finish.
Squads:
Ireland Women’s Cricket Team
Christina Coulter Reilly, Gaby Lewis, Rebecca Stokell, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Louise Little, Orla Prendergast, Amy Hunter, Aimee Maguire, Alana Dalzell, Arlene Kelly, Ava Canning, Cara Murray, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride
Scotland Women’s Cricket Team
Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Maryam Faisal, Megan McColl, Priyanaz Chatterji, Chloe Abel, Katherine Fraser, Kathryn Bryce, Ailsa Lister, Pippa Sproul, Sarah Bryce, Abtaha Maqsood, Hannah Rainey, Kirsty McColl, Nayma Sheikh, Rachel Slater
Players to watch out:
Gaby Lewis
Gaby has been the standout performer for Ireland, leading the batting charts with a solid 190 runs across four matches. She has anchored the innings beautifully, highlighted by a top score of 73 and a healthy average of 47.50. Her ability to find the boundary 26 times so far has kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk strike rate of 130.13, making her the most vital wicket for any opposition.
Arlene Kelly
Arlene remains the spearhead of the Irish bowling attack, sitting near the top of the wicket-takers list with 8 scalps. She’s shown great control over her 14 overs, maintaining a bowling average of 11.62 and the best of 4/20. Her consistency in taking crucial wickets at key moments has been a major factor in Ireland’s successful run through the group stages.
Katherine Fraser
Katherine has proven her worth as a genuine all-rounder, contributing significantly to both departments. She has amassed 126 runs at a strike rate of 138.46, providing much-needed middle-order impetus, while also chipping in with 5 wickets with the ball. Her best bowling figures of 2/11 and her ability to hit 22 boundaries demonstrate just how impactful she is for the Scottish side.
Abtaha Maqsood
Abtaha continues to be a tricky customer for batters to handle, utilizing her leg-spin to claim 7 wickets in the tournament so far. She has been incredibly disciplined, bowling 13 overs with an economy of 5.07 and a best of 3/14. Her knack for breaking partnerships has kept Scotland competitive in tight matches, making her a real asset in the bowling department.
Pitch:
Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground provides consistent bounce on turf, helping pacers upfront and spinners as wear sets in, making it bowler friendly. T20 stats across 39 games average 160 first innings, with 21 batting-first wins. Boundaries at 60-86m demand precision.
Weather:
The conditions in Kirtipur on match day will feature light rain during the day and clear skies at night, with a high of 13°C and a low of 6°C.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Gaby Lewis, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Katherine Fraser, Kathryn Bryce, Ailsa Lister, Sarah Bryce, Abtaha Maqsood
Match Details:
Date – January 28, 2025
Time – 8:45 AM IST
Venue – Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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