Ireland Ascends to Group B’s Pinnacle in Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, Scotland Maintains Winning Streak
In a thrilling match, Ireland secured the top spot in Group B following their resounding victory over Zimbabwe, thanks to an outstanding opening partnership from Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis.
In another fixture, Kathryn Bryce shone for Scotland, leading her team to a convincing win over USA in Group A, marking their second triumph of the tournament.
Ireland 176/3 (20) Overpowers Zimbabwe 120/8 (20)
Toss: Zimbabwe Chooses to Bowl First
SCORECARD
Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis set the pitch ablaze with a 130-run opening partnership, aiding the Irish women to record their fifth-highest total in women’s T20Is.
Hunter commenced the innings with a flurry of boundaries, hitting three consecutive fours off Josephine Nkomo’s first three deliveries. Nkomo had entered the match following a four-wicket haul in the previous game.
With Lewis joining the fray, Ireland got off to a flying start, reaching 59/0 within the Powerplay. Lewis was the first to score a half-century, achieving the milestone off 36 balls. Hunter soon followed suit, reaching her fifty in 34 balls.
A dominating performance by Ireland in the ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup Qualifier against Zimbabwe
Watch the tournament live and FREE on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v in selected territories, and on Fancode in India and the subcontinent
Scorecard : https://t.co/mBXqlZnkT3 pic.twitter.com/jlo3B4sA6p
Kelis Ndhlovu finally broke the opening partnership, dismissing Lewis for a splendid 69 off 47 balls. Nkomo then claimed Hunter’s wicket for 71 in the 17th over, but by then Ireland had already surpassed the 150-run mark.
Ireland ended their innings at 176/3 in 20 overs, setting a daunting target for Zimbabwe.
In their chase, Ava Canning struck twice during the Powerplay, dismissing Sharne Mayers and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano cheaply, further strengthening Ireland’s hold on the match.
Zimbabwe’s captain Mary-Anne Musonda and Modester Mupachikwa attempted to steady the ship, taking the score to 65/2 at the end of 10 overs. However, they were still a considerable distance away from the target.
Laura Delany broke the partnership, dismissing Mupachikwa for 27, while Musonda continued her fight, finishing on 48.
Zimbabwe’s innings crumbled thereafter, losing their next four wickets within 22 balls and ending on 120/8. With one win in three games, they need a significant victory in their final match to have a shot at the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, with two wins in two games, Ireland leads Group B and is now a strong contender for the semi-finals.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2024 Standings
Scotland 149/6 (20) Triumphs Over USA 105/8 (20)
Toss: USA Decides to Field First
SCORECARD
Scotland’s captain Kathryn Bryce led from the front, guiding her team to a 44-run victory over the USA, marking their second win in three matches.
Put into bat first, Scotland faced early setbacks as they lost their openers Saskia Horley and Megan McColl within the Powerplay.
The fourth-wicket partnership between Bryce and Ailsa Lister steadied the innings for Scotland. The duo added 66 runs in just 39 balls, swinging the momentum back in Scotland’s favour.
Lister’s innings of 34 (22) ended when she was stumped by keeper Sindhu Sriharsha off Aditiba Chudasama’s bowling.
Scotland overcomes USA’s challenge for their second win in the ICC Women’s #T20WorldCup Qualifier 2024
Watch the tournament live and FREE on https://t.co/MHHfZPyHf9 in selected territories, and on Fancode in India and the subcontinent
Scorecard : https://t.co/KdrUaqKT4T pic.twitter.com/vJF88mJmK6
ICC Women’s Associate Player of the Decade, Bryce, held the fort from her end, scoring her ninth T20I fifty in 42 balls.
Her unbeaten 57*, along with Lorna Jack’s cameo of 20 (17), took Scotland to 149/6 in their 20 overs.
Bryce also made headlines in the bowling department. Opening the bowling, she claimed a wicket on her first ball, dismissing Gargi Bhogle for a duck.
She returned with her lethal inswingers in her second over and claimed two more wickets – first rattling Disha Dhingra’s stumps and then trapping Sriharsha lbw. Both batters departed without scoring.
USA could only manage 26 runs for the loss of four wickets at the end of the Powerplay.
Leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood was brought into the attack to dismantle the middle-order.
Maqsood dismissed Jessica Willathgamuwa (10) and Geetika Kodali (3), reducing USA to 50/7.
Isani Vaghela and Jivana Aras combined to stop the flow of wickets, adding 39 runs in 45 deliveries. Vaghela played a crucial knock of 30 off 26 balls before Chloe Abel dismissed her, while Aras remained unbeaten on 24.
USA could only manage 105/8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 44 runs, recording their second consecutive loss in the Qualifier.
Along with an unbeaten fifty, Bryce finished with her career-best T20I figures of 4/17, earning the Player of the Match award.