Ireland enters match 4 of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2026 as the clear favorites, but they’d be foolish to underestimate a Papua New Guinea side that has nothing to lose and a reputation for causing upsets. The Irish girls have been playing a lot of high-level cricket lately, including a tough tour of South Africa, which should serve them well in these high-pressure qualifying scenarios. PNG, meanwhile, comes in with a lot of heart and a squad that has spent the last month specifically preparing for these Nepalese conditions.
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
Papua New Guinea Women’s Cricket Team
Konio Oala, Lakshmi Rajadurai, Miria Raio, Naoani Vare, Henao Thomas, Hollan Doriga, Pauke Siaka, Brenda Tau, Dika Lohia, Erani Pokana, Geua Tom, Hane Tau, Isabel Toua, Mairi Tom
Players to watch out:
Laura Delany
The veteran leader of Irish cricket, Laura Delany across 127 T20Is has accumulated over 1,600 runs and 95 wickets. Her career-best score of 91 against Italy recently showcased her enduring class with the bat, while her bowling remains clinical with the best of 4/9. Her experience in over a decade of international cricket makes her the tactical heartbeat of the team as they look to secure their spot in the World Cup.
Amy Hunter
One of the most exciting young talents in the world, Amy has quickly reached 1,392 T20I runs in just 57 matches, maintaining a brilliant strike rate of 113.00. She has already recorded two international centuries across formats, including a recent T20I ton that underlined her status as a premier top-order batter. Whether she’s keeping wickets or fielding in the deep, her athletic presence and aggressive batting style make her Ireland’s biggest match-winner.
Naoani Vare
Naoani is the leading run-scorer for the Lewas, having compiled 1,224 T20I runs at a respectable average of 26.04. Her highest score of 88 against Fiji is a testament to her power and placement, often carrying the bulk of the scoring responsibility for her side. She is a technically gifted batter who rarely gives her wicket away, making her the essential anchor for Papua New Guinea’s qualification hopes.
Geua Tom
Geua is a disciplined medium pacer who has become a reliable option for PNG in the middle overs, utilizing her 16 career wickets to stall opposition progress. Her best bowling figures of 3/15 demonstrate her efficiency, particularly in damp or slow conditions where her natural variations come into play. A gritty cricketer, she often provides the glue in the bowling unit, keeping things tight while more aggressive bowlers attack from the other end.
Pitch:
Mulpani Cricket Ground offers a balanced turf wicket with true bounce and pace, favoring seamers early before spin grips later. T20 records from 13 matches show 151 average first innings score, with teams bowling first winning 8. The quick outfield and 60-70m boundaries encourage attacking cricket.
Weather:
The conditions read highs of 18-19°C under partly cloudy skies, 90% humidity, and negligible rain (under 2mm monthly avg). Winds stay light below 5 km/h, with 6 sunshine hours and nights cooling to 11°C. Ideal for uninterrupted play.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Amy Hunter, Jane Maguire, Naoani Vare, Henao Thomas, Pauke Siaka, Brenda Tau, Geua Tom
Match Details:
Date – January 18, 2025
Time – 8:45 AM
Venue – Mulpani Cricket Ground, Nepal
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website.
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