Day 1 of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier 2024. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifiers will get underway on 25th April 2024 and conclude on 7th May 2024. A total of 10 teams namely, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Scotland, Zimbabwe, UAE, Uganda, Netherlands, Vanuatu, USA, and Ireland. A couple of spots are up for grabs for these teams. Sri Lanka, Thailand, Scotland, Uganda, and the USA are placed in Group A. While Ireland, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Vanuatu are placed in Group B.
The two finalists will book their spot for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.
Match 1: Group A: Sri Lanka Vs Thailand (Tolerance Oval)
Sri Lanka survived a spirited effort from Thailand bowlers to clinch a comprehensive 67-run victory.
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka start their Qualifiers campaign on a winning note.
Nilakshika Silva: 29*(20)
Hasini Perera: 29(32)
Chanida Sutthiruang: 1/15 (3)Nannapat Koncharoenkai: 18(27)
Inoshi Priyadharshani: 3/14 (4)
Udeshika Prabodhani: 2/10 (3)#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/EBYEwnT5wA— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 25, 2024
The Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to bat first. The Sri Lankan openers Vishmi Gunaratne and skipper Chamari Athapaththu got off to a cautious start, scoring at just under five runs an over. However, they lost the wicket of Vishmi Gunaratne in the 5th over of the innings. Chanida Sutthiruang provided the first breakthrough for Thailand.
They kept losing wickets at regular intervals and found themselves at 78/5 in the 15th over of the innings. Sri Lanka eventually managed to post a competitive total of 122/5 in their quota of overs. A 44-run 6th wicket partnership propelled them past the 120-run mark. Nilakshika Silva (29 off 20 balls), Hasini Perera (29 off 32 balls), and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (16 off 23 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Sri Lanka.
Chanida Sutthiruang (3-0-15-1), Suleeporn Laomi (3-0-19-1), and Onnicha Kamchomphu (4-0-27-1) were the top performers with the ball for Thailand. Chasing a target of 123, Thailand got off to a poor start as they lost the wicket of Nattaya Boochatham in the first over of the run chase. Thailand were eventually wrapped up for 55 with 22 balls to spare. The 26-run 2nd wicket partnership between wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai and Natthakan Chantham was the only substantial partnership for Thailand.
Wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai (18 off 27 balls) was the top performer for Thailand. Inoshi Priyadharshani Fernando (4-0-14-3), and Udeshika Prabodhani (3-1-10-2) were the top performers with the ball for Sri Lanka. They eventually clinched the game comprehensively by a 67-run margin. Inoshi Priyadharshani (4-0-14-3) was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning spell with the ball.
Match 2: Group B: UAE Vs Ireland (Abu Dhabi)
Eimear Richardson’s all-round show guides Ireland to a comprehensive 6-wicket victory over UAE.
🇮🇪 Ireland start on a winning-note against UAE
Khushi Sharma: 24(28)
Theertha Satish: 22(21)
Arlene Kelly 2/12 (3.0)Gaby Lewis: 27(22)
Amy Hunter: 25(19)
Esha Oza: 3/13 (4)#CricketTwitter #WT20Q 📸 @IrishWomensCric pic.twitter.com/EyajePkAsp— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 25, 2024
Ireland skipper Laura Delany won the toss and opted to field first. After being inserted to bat first, the United Arab Emirates posted a total of 105/9 in their quota of overs. Khushi Sharma (24 off 28 balls), wicket-keeper batter Theertha Satish (22 off 21 balls) and skipper Esha Oza (15 off 10 balls) were the top performers with the bat for UAE. Eimear Richardson (4-1-15-2), Cara Murray (4-0-15-1), and Arlene Kelly (3-0-12-2) were the top performers with the ball for Ireland.
Chasing a target of 106, Ireland got off to a flying start with a 52-run opening stand in the powerplay. They suffered a mini collapse as they lost their next three wickets for just 16 runs. However, Ireland eventually got over the line by six wickets and 23 balls to spare as they sealed a comprehensive victory against UAE to kickstart their campaign in the Qualifiers. Eimear Richardson was awarded the Player of the Match for her all-round show, returning with match figures (4-1-15-2) with the ball and scoring (22 off 19 balls) with the bat.
Match 3: Group A: Scotland Vs Uganda (Tolerance Oval)
Twin half-centuries from Saskia Horley and Ailsa Lister followed by Rachel Slater’s five-fer powers Scotland to a thumping 109-run victory over Uganda.
The Uganda skipper Janet Mbabazi won the toss and opted to field first. After being inserted to bat first, the Scotland openers Saskia Horley and Darcey Carter got off to a good start, scoring at around seven runs an over before they lost a couple of wickets in quick succession. Wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce joined skipper Kathryn Bryce and the duo stitched a 30-run partnership for the 3rd wicket before wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce was cleaned up by Immaculate Nakisuuyi to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Uganda.
Scotland eventually posted a total of 161/3 in their quota of overs. Saskia Horley (61 off 52 balls), Ailsa Lister (55 off 34 balls), and Darcey Carter (24 off 16 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Scotland. Immaculate Nakisuuyi (4-0-29-1) and Sarah Akiteng (4-0-31-1) were the top performers with the ball for Uganda.
Chasing a target of 162, Uganda were wrapped up for just 52 runs and 46 balls to spare. Uganda fell 109-runs short of the target. Phiona Kulume was the only batter from Uganda who managed to get into the double digits. She stayed unbeaten for a run-a-ball 16 and was the top performer with the bat for Uganda. The 22-year-old left-arm pacer Rachel Slater ran through the Uganda batting line-up as she returned with brilliant match figures (4-0-17-5) in her spell. She was the top performer alongside Abtaha Maqsood (2.2-0-10-3) with the ball for Scotland.
They played a crucial role in helping their side clinch a thumping 109-run victory against Uganda. Rachel Slater was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning spell (4-0-17-5) with the ball.
Match 4: Group B: Vanuatu Vs Zimbabwe (Abu Dhabi)
Nasimana Navaika and Rachel Andrew help Vanuatu stun Zimbabwe to start their campaign on a high.
From struggling for funds before the tournament,
to beating Zimbabwe in the opener
Take a bow, @vanuatu_cricket 👏 #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/9mC7k5VUqu
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 25, 2024
The Zimbabwe Women’s team skipper Mary-Anne Musonda won the toss and opted to bat first. Zimbabwe were bundled out for just 61 with 39 balls to spare after opting to bat first. Sharne Mayers (16 off 12 balls), and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (11 off 11 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Zimbabwe. Nasimana Navaika (4-0-13-4), Vanessa Vira (3.3-0-14-3), and Rachel Andrew (2-0-10-2) were the top performers with the ball for Vanuatu.
Vanuatu managed to chase down the total with six wickets in hand and 21 balls to spare. Nasimana Navaika (21 off 36 balls), Valenta Langiatu (13 off 17 balls), and Alvina Chiliana (10 off 17 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Vanuatu. Audrey Mazvishaya (4-2-10-2), Kelis Ndhlovu (4-0-9-1), and Josephine Nkomo (4-0-16-1) were the top performers with the ball for Zimbabwe.
Nasimana Navaika was awarded the Player of the Match for her match-winning all-round performance, returning with brilliant match figures (4-0-13-4) with the ball and scoring (21 off 36 balls) with the bat playing a crucial role in helping Vanuatu start their campaign on a high with a 6-wicket win against a full member nation Zimbabwe in their first game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers.
Vanuatu creates History 🤩
Playing their first-ever match at a global T20 World Cup Qualifier, they beat full-member Zimbabwe by 6 Wickets 👏#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/oW4OejhV7c
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 25, 2024