Orla Prendergast Leads Rankings Shake-Up as Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier Begins

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier kicked off in Nepal on January 18, 2026, with the top four teams vying for spots in the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, set for England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026. Ireland grabbed headlines with a commanding 41-run win over Papua New Guinea at Mulpani Cricket Ground, propelling several players up the latest ICC Women’s T20I Rankings.

Batters Rankings

All-rounder Orla Prendergast starred with a match-winning 56 off 44 balls and economical 0/9, earning Player of the Match honours while skyrocketing in the rankings. Captain Gaby Lewis and seamer Arlene Kelly also climbed, reflecting Ireland’s strong start alongside victories for Bangladesh, Thailand, and the Netherlands.

Orla Prendergast’s explosive half-century propelled her four places to 20th overall among T20I batters, underscoring her growing dominance as a 23-year-old all-round force for Ireland. Gaby Lewis jumped two spots to 16th with her anchoring 42 against Papua New Guinea, while Thailand’s veteran Natthakan Chantham rose two places to equal 31st after an unbeaten 57 in an eight-wicket rout of hosts Nepal. Bangladesh’s Sharmin Akhter surged 13 positions to 57th on the back of her 63 in a 21-run victory over the USA.

Other notable climbers include Thailand’s Nannapat Koncharoenkai (up one to 35th, 499 points), Netherlands’ Sterre Kalis (up three to 54th, 441 points), Ireland’s Leah Paul (up one to equal 67th, 382 points alongside Zimbabwe’s Kelis Ndhlovu), Netherlands’ Robine Rijke (up two to 90th, 316 points).

Bowlers Rankings

Ireland’s Arlene Kelly grabbed two wickets in the PNG clash, climbing three places to 43rd, while Papua New Guinea’s Pauke Siaka leapt 13 spots to equal 53rd (464 points) with 1/14. Scotland’s Olivia Bell edged up one to equal 25th (584 points) alongside New Zealand’s Fran Jonas, and UAE’s Heena Hotchandani rose one to equal 48th (493 points) with Jess Kerr. Michelle Botha (UAE) hit 50th (483 points), PNG’s Isabel Toua climbed two to 52nd (468 points), and Henao Thomas moved one to equal 55th (463 points) alongside England’s Issy Wong and Thailand’s Sunida Chaturongrattana.

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Further gains came from UAE’s Vaishnave Mahesh (up two to equal 65th, 433 points with Ireland’s Cara Murray), Namibia’s Eveleen Kejarukua (up one to 68th, 422 points), Scotland skipper Kathryn Bryce (up one to 69th, 419 points), UAE’s Suraksha Kotte (up one to equal 70th, 418 points with South Africa’s Tumi Sekhukune), Zimbabwe’s Lindokuhle Mabhero (up 11 to equal 72nd, 409 points with Uganda’s Kevin Amuge, up one), PNG’s Mairi Tom (up six to 78th, 398 points), Netherlands’ Iris Zwilling (up four to 81st, 392 points), Zimbabwe’s Josephine Nkomo (up two to 85th, 383 points), Ireland’s Aimee Maguire (up 15 to 86th, 366 points), Laura Delany (up 10 to equal 93rd, 353 points with Scotland’s Priyanaz Chatterji, up one), and Alana Dalzell (up 18 to equal 98th, 348 points with South Africa’s Sune Luus).

All-Rounders Rankings

Prendergast dominated here too, vaulting three places to sixth overall after her dual impact, while PNG’s Pauke Siaka climbed three to equal 21st (175 points) alongside UAE skipper Esha Oza and England’s Charlie Dean. Henao Thomas (PNG) rose four to 40th (106 points) with India’s Renuka Singh Thakur, Netherlands’ Iris Zwilling gained six to equal 60th (81 points) alongside Scotland’s Olivia Bell, and PNG’s Isabel Toua jumped 12 to equal 65th (77 points) with Uganda’s Immaculate Nakisuuyi and West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor.

Ireland’s Arlene Kelly edged up one to equal 79th (69 points) with Vanuatu’s Rachel Andrew, Netherlands’ Robine Rijke surged eight to equal 81st (67 points) alongside West Indies’ Shamilia Connell and UAE’s Samaira Dharnidharka, West Indies’ Zaida James rose three to equal 85th (65 points) with Zimbabwe’s Precious Marange, Ireland’s Jane Maguire climbed two to 89th (62 points), Nepal’s Sita Rana Magar moved one to equal 90th (61 points) with Thailand’s Onnicha Kamchomphu and England’s Heather Knight, Uganda’s Janet Mbabazi gained two to equal 96th (58 points) alongside Zimbabwe’s Lindokuhle Mabhero (up eight), and Isle of Man’s Lucy Barnett rose two to equal 98th (57 points) with Thailand’s Sunida Chaturongrattana.

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As the Qualifier unfolds until February 1, these shifts highlight emerging talents fueling the race for World Cup berths. Keep an eye on Ireland’s momentum.