It’s almost time for the first step toward cricket’s biggest stage as the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2025 gets underway in Lahore, Pakistan, from April 9-19 with the top two teams earning a coveted spot in the Women’s Cricket World Cup in India later this year. Six teams have already secured their berths, but Pakistan, Ireland, West Indies, Scotland, Bangladesh, and Zimbabwe will clash in the qualifier tournament, each vying for a chance to shine on the global stage.
For Ireland, in particular, this qualifier presents a prime opportunity to build on their growing reputation as a competitive team, having shed their underdog tag in recent times. Still smarting from their narrow semi-final loss to Scotland in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024, Ireland will be eager to make amends and seize their chance to qualify for the main event.
Since their narrow exit from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024, Ireland has been on a roll, producing a string of promising performances. Their resurgence began with a tour against Sri Lanka, where they leveled the T20I series 1-1, winning the second match by seven runs, and then took the ODI series 2-1 against the Asia Cup champions.
In a remarkable span of just one month, they notched victories over both England and Sri Lanka. Their ODI win over England was particularly significant, being their first against the English side since 2001, and it came in a rain-curtailed match. Ireland then made history by winning their first-ever T20I match against England by five wickets.
Although they suffered a 3-0 loss in the ODI series against Bangladesh, they bounced back in style, scripting Ireland’s first-ever series win in Bangladesh by sweeping the T20I series 3-0.
Ireland’s 2025 may have begun on a disappointing note, with a 3-0 ODI loss to India, but they boast an impressive feat, having defeated top sides like South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and England in both ODIs and T20Is. This achievement is a testament to their growth and resilience, and they currently sit 11th in the ODI team rankings and tenth in the T20I team rankings.
All-rounder Orla Prendergast has been the linchpin of Ireland’s victories, consistently delivering match-winning performances. Her impressive displays include an unbeaten 122 and 3/25 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, 80 off 51 and 2/31 in Ireland’s maiden T20I win over England, 3-wicket haul in the first T20I against Bangladesh, 32 off 25 and 3/13 in the second and a four-wicket haul in the third. Throughout these triumphs, Prendergast has been a constant source of crucial runs and wickets, cementing her status as a key player in Ireland’s success.
Reflecting on the World Cup Qualifiers, Prendergast highlighted the importance of staying present and adapting to the challenges of each match. “I think regarding qualifying tournaments, it’s just day by day, week by week. I think each game is almost like a mini event. They are obviously all such big games and against very good teams. So yeah, I think it’s just each game as it comes and then, however it goes, refocus on the next one,” she said.
Recently appointed as the vice-captain of the Ireland women’s team, Prendergast also talked about her new leadership role. “I wouldn’t say it’s something I probably thought – a role I thought I’d end up in, but the way things have panned out, I obviously am and absolutely loving it. Yeah, I think it comes with a few different challenges, but yeah, I think I work really well with Gaby (Lewis) and loving the new role,” the 22-year-old said.
Ireland’s quest for Women’s World Cup qualification begins in earnest, with warm-up matches against West-Indies and Bangladesh on April 5 and 7 respectively. Their campaign begins on April 9 against the hosts, Pakistan. With Gaby Lewis at the helm and Orla Prendergast as her deputy, they will be determined to go the distance this time and secure a spot in the Women’s World Cup.
(Quotes sourced from a video posted by Cricket Ireland on X)
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