Ireland book their place at the 2026 T20 Women's World Cup this summer with a 62-run victory over Thailand in Nepal.
T20 World Cup global qualifiers
Ireland 121-8 (20 overs): Lewis 26, Hunter 24; S Laomi 4-24
Thailand 59 (16.1 overs): Chaiwai 22; Kelly 4-7, McBride 3-6
Ireland won by 62 runs
Ireland booked their place at the 2026 T20 Women's World Cup this summer with a 62-run victory over Thailand in Nepal.
The win saw Ireland finish second behind inbeaten Bangladesh in the Super Six stage of the global qualifier with the top four advancing to the tournament in England and Wales starting 12 June.
Skipper Gaby Lewis won the toss and, along with fellow opener Amy Hunter, put on a 35-run partnership before the latter fell in the final over of the powerplay.
Lewis was stumped on 26, while Orla Prendergast contributed 23 before she became the first of Suleeporn Laomi's four wickets to leave Ireland on 79-3.
While Ireland lost their next four wickets for just 17 runs, Louise Little and Jane Maguire put on a 25-run partnership to bring their total to 121.
With the ball, Lloyd Tennant's bowling attack limited Thailand to just 59, their lowest total across five defeats at the tournament.
Arlene Kelly, on the occasion of her 100th cap, led the way with four wickets for seven runs across four overs, while Laura McBride finished with figures of 3-6.
Category: General Sports
