ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier: Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Thailand Battle for Group A Supremacy
The finalists of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi will secure their places in the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
The Qualifier tournament features 10 teams, divided into two groups of five. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals, with the winners earning a trip to Bangladesh.
Group A comprises Scotland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda, and the United States of America (USA), while Group B includes Ireland, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.
Group A: Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Thailand Set for a Close Contest
Sri Lanka, fresh from their recent T20I series victory in South Africa, enters the tournament as the favourites. Led by Chamari Athapaththu, the team aims to top Group A and secure a place in the final. They are keen to capitalize on their recent form, following a disappointing performance in last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Sri Lanka, currently ranked seventh in the ICC Women’s T20 Rankings, will face Thailand in the tournament opener at the Tolerance Oval on 25 April.
Scotland, currently 14th in the ICC Women’s T20I Rankings, have been preparing in the UAE for nearly two weeks. They have played 50-over matches against the USA and Papua New Guinea and are set to participate in a Quadrangular T20 tournament with the UAE, Netherlands, and USA, weather permitting.
Scotland, yet to make an appearance in the Women’s T20 World Cup, aims to secure a semi-final spot from Group A before challenging for the ultimate prize – a ticket to Bangladesh. They will kick off their campaign against Uganda on the opening day of the tournament.
Thailand, currently ranked 12th, aims to return to the Women’s T20 event this year after failing to qualify for last year’s edition. They gave Pakistan a tough fight in the 2020 edition in Australia before defeating them in an Asia Cup fixture in October 2022.
Uganda, one of the two African teams in the Qualifier and currently ranked 18th, will need to deliver exceptional performances to compete with the experienced teams of Sri Lanka, Scotland, and Thailand.
The USA, recently granted ODI status and currently ranked 23rd, aims to make their mark in the tournament after securing the Americas’ spot in the Qualifier and gaining experience from their 50-over matches in Dubai.
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