Sana Mir’s Analysis on ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier Group Stage

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier has been a thrilling spectacle so far, with all 10 teams showcasing their cricketing prowess. The 20 group games were fiercely competitive, and we are now at the crucial stage of the tournament where a single moment of brilliance or a single mistake can make or break a team’s journey to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

UAE’s Impressive Progress

Among the four semi-finalists, UAE’s progress has been particularly noteworthy. Their disciplined bowling attack, led by Samaira Dharnidharka, and the prime form of spinner Vaishnave Mahesh have been key to their success. Captain Esha Oza’s aggressive style of play and leadership have been inspirational, and her partnership with Theertha Satish has been crucial for the team.

Sri Lanka and Ireland’s Dominance

Sri Lanka and Ireland have stood out from the rest of the teams, thanks to their quality players and experience in major ICC events. Sri Lanka’s depth is evident from the fact that they have had a different player of the match in each of their first three games. While their biggest star, Chamari Athapaththu, is yet to deliver a big innings, her opening partner Vishmi Gunaratne and bowler Kavisha Dilhari have been consistently excellent.

Ireland, on the other hand, has been the best team from Group B. Their openers Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis have set the tone for them in the batting department, while captain Laura Delany has shown great skill and temperament.

Scotland and Netherlands’ Performance

Scotland’s captain Kathryn Bryce has been leading her team from the front. However, the team’s batting has been inconsistent and needs to step up in their semi-final clash against Ireland. The Netherlands, despite some good performances, couldn’t maintain their intensity and focus for the entire 20 overs.

Thailand and Vanuatu’s Potential

Thailand showed promise but failed to capitalize on their opportunities. The injury to Natthakan Chantham was a significant setback. However, the bowling ability of Chanida Sutthiruang and the all-round skills of Nattaya Boochatham were impressive.

Vanuatu women’s team, led by captain Selina Solomon, put the country on the cricketing map. Nasimana Navaika’s stunning performance against Zimbabwe was a highlight of the group stage.

Zimbabwe and Uganda’s Fielding Excellence

Despite not reaching the semi-final stage, Zimbabwe and Uganda excelled in the field. For Zimbabwe, Josephine Nkomo and Audrey Mazvishaya stood out with their performances. Uganda’s Immaculate Nakisuuyi remained the most impressive player.

USA’s Struggles

The USA team struggled to compete with the rest of the teams in their group. However, opening bowler Geetika Kodali showed promise and potential.

Semi-Finals Expectations

The semi-finals are expected to be fiercely contested with quality cricketers in all four sides. While both games are expected to be closely fought, my picks for the final and qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup are Sri Lanka and Ireland.