Scotland have defeated Ireland in the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier to qualify for their first-ever Women’s T20 World Cup and will take part in the tournament in Bangladesh later this year.
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The two-week qualifying event in Abu Dhabi saw ten teams participate for two spots in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the schedule for which was announced by the ICC earlier today. Teams were divided into two groups of five each, with the top two sides making the semi-finals. The two finalists would eventually go and play in the event in Bangladesh later this year.
Scotland have now become the first qualifying team to make the tournament after defeating Ireland in the first semi-final in Abu Dhabi on Sunday (May 5). Batting first, Ireland Women were restricted to 110-9, with Kathryn Bryce picking up 4-8 in her four overs. Katherine Fraser also picked up three scalps for 19 runs in 2.5 overs.
The target did not pose a challenge to Scotland, who were led by Megan McColl’s fifty, as they chased down the score with ease to become the first team to make the finals of the Qualifiers.
For the first time in history, Scotland's women's team have secured a spot in the World Cup👏#T20WorldCup #Cricket pic.twitter.com/pFEmFWzjE4
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) May 5, 2024
They will be joined by the winners of the second semifinal between Sri Lanka and the UAE, with the final on May 7.
This was the first time in nine editions that Scotland will play in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Scotland Women, who played their first T20I in 2018, have won 33 games in their 56 T20I outings thus far. They were placed in Group A in the Qualifiers along with Sri Lanka, Thailand, Uganda and the United States.
This will also be their first appearance in any Women’s World Cup – they have not played in the 50-over event earlier either.
Scotland finished second in the points table, with three wins from four games, losing their game to Sri Lanka. They faced a stiff task in the semi-final, where Scotland, ranked No.14 in the ICC Women’s T20 table, were slated to face tenth-ranked Ireland.
The Women’s T20 World Cup will begin on October 3, with the final on October 20. The winners of the Qualifiers will be placed in Group 1 along with Australia, India, New Zealand and Pakistan while the runners-up will be in Group B with Bangladesh, England, South Africa and West Indies.
