The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi will determine the two finalists who will secure their spots in this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in Bangladesh.
The 10 competing teams are divided into two groups of five each. The top two teams from each group will enter the semi-finals, and the semi-final winners will confirm their trip to Bangladesh.
Group A consists of Scotland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda and the United States of America (USA). At the same time, Group B comprises Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vanuatu and Zimbabwe.
Tight competition is expected amongst Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Thailand in Group A
Sri Lanka enters the tournament as the clear favourites, having won the recent T20I series in South Africa convincingly. The team, led by the dynamic Chamari Athapaththu, aims to top Group A and make it to the finals.
Following their disappointing performance in last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where they finished fourth in Group 1 and had to compete in the Qualifier to enter this year’s main event, Sri Lanka aims to make the most of their recent upward curve in form, which includes a series win against South Africa and a strong showing in the Asia Cup.
Sri Lanka is currently the seventh-ranked team in the ICC Women’s T20 Rankings. They will begin their campaign against Thailand in the tournament opener at the Tolerance Oval on 25 April.
Scotland
Scotland’s women’s cricket team, currently ranked 14th in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings, has been in the UAE for almost two weeks.
In preparation for the tournament, the team played 50-over matches against the USA and Papua New Guinea. They’re now scheduled to participate in a Quadrangular T20 tournament with the UAE, Netherlands, and USA – weather permitting in Abu Dhabi this week.
Scotland, a team yet to make its mark in the Women’s T20 World Cup, is ready to change the game. Ranked 14th in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings, they are the underdogs of Group A.
Their aim is clear-to secure a spot in the semi-finals. The team will kick off their campaign with a match against Uganda on the tournament’s opening day, under the lights at Tolerance Oval.
Thailand
Thailand, a team with a burning desire to return to the Women’s T20 event, is currently ranked 12th.
They put up a commendable fight against Pakistan in the 2020 edition held in Australia, with the match unfortunately abandoned due to rain.
However, not before Thailand scored an impressive 150 for three in 20 overs. In October 2022, they defeated Pakistan in an Asia Cup fixture, showcasing their resilience and ambition.
Uganda
Uganda, one of the two African teams in the Qualifier, faces a tough road ahead. Ranked 18th, they need to deliver outstanding individual and team performances to advance.
Competing against the experienced Group A sides of Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Thailand, they have a challenging task at hand. Despite a previous victory against Thailand in a T20I, they suffered a defeat in their only other T20I against the Asian side.
They were also defeated in their only T20I against Scotland to date, highlighting the uphill battle they face.
USA
The USA recently gained ODI status but has yet to participate in an ICC Women’s T20 World Cup event. They are currently ranked 23rd in the team rankings.
They will look to perform well after securing the Americas’ spot in the Qualifier. The team learnt the conditions well during their 50-over matches in Dubai. It will gain further exposure and insights during the quadrangular event in Abu Dhabi before the tournament.
They will also use their two warm-up matches against Zimbabwe and Ireland to determine their best combinations and strategy. Their tournament opener against Uganda will take place on 27 April at the Zayed Cricket Stadium.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier warm-up fixtures:
Sunday, 21 April
Sri Lanka vs Netherlands, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – 15h00
Thailand vs UAE, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – 19h00
Zimbabwe vs USA, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – 15h00
Ireland vs Scotland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – 19h00
Uganda vs Vanuatu, Mohan Oval, Abu Dhabi – 15h00
Tuesday, 23 April
Uganda vs UAE, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – 15h00
Sri Lanka vs Vanuatu, Tolerance Oval, Abu Dhabi – 19h00
Thailand vs Netherlands, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – 15h00
Zimbabwe vs Scotland, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi – 19h00
Ireland vs USA, Mohan Oval, Abu Dhabi – 15h00
sources from ICC
