Ireland and Bangladesh women’s T20 cricket teams have qualified for ICC World Twenty20 championship next year that is scheduled to take place in India from 11 March to 3 April 2016. Both teams have won their respective semi-finals in the 2015 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier which is being played in Thailand.
First Semi-Final
In the first semi-final match played today at Terdthai Cricket Ground in Bangkok, Bangladesh women’s beat Zimbabwe women’s by 31 runs to seal their berth in the final. Zimbabwe won the toss in the match and asked Bangladesh to bat. It was such a difficult wicket to bat on and Bangla women’s put up just 89 runs on the board in 20 overs for the loss of 5 wickets.
Fargana Hoque was the highest scorer for Bangladesh in the first semi-final of ICC WT20 Qualifier 2015 as she scored 43 runs at the strike rate of 100. In terms of the format of game, it was an achievable target for Zimbabwe in 20 overs but they completely failed to do it and whole team got all out in 19.1 overs after scoring 58 runs. One one woman touch the two digit individual score in the innings.
Hence Bangladesh won semi-final by 31 runs and entered into the finals as well as will fly to India next year for main event. Rumana Ahmed was the women of the match for Bangladesh as she took 4 wickets in four overs that she bowled. For this match-winning performance, Rumana was awarded player of the match.
Second Semi-Final
In the second semi-final match Ireland women won the toss and chose to field against Scotland. And their decision went in their favor as Scotland women’s failed to deliver on this big occasion and whole team made just 77 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in 20 overs. Opener Fiona Urquhart was the highest scorer in Scottish team as she made 21 in 32 balls. Lucy O’Reilly took three wickets in Scotland innings.
In the chase of 78 runs target, Ireland got firing start from openers Shillington and Joyce. Both players added 50 runs for the first wicket partnership. Kirstie Gordon dismissed Shillington in the 8th over of inning but it was too late for Scotland. Irish women achieved the target in 11.3 overs and set up ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier 2015 final against Bangladesh on 5 December.
Ireland registered 9 wickets victory with 51 balls remaining in the innings. O’Reilly was declared player of the match.