Women’s T20 World Cup 2023
At the upcoming women’s T20 World Cup 2023, which will take place in South Africa in the early part of next year, Bangladesh and Ireland have secured their spots. Bangladesh defeated Thailand in the semifinals of the qualifying event in Abu Dhabi. Ireland narrowly defeated Zimbabwe. The two teams will face off in the World Cup final on Sunday. Teams’ participation in World Cup won’t be impacted by the result.
1st Semifinal: Ireland Women vs Zimbabwe Women
Ireland Women 137/6
Zimbabwe Women (20 ov, T:138) 133/6
Ireland Women won by 4 runs
The first semi-final was a close match. Ireland used their combined batting efforts to post a respectable 137 for 6. Zimbabwe later put good show for a valiant chase before falling just four runs short.
Orla Prendergast led the way for Ireland. The team was batting first. She hit 28 runs at slightly under a run per ball. Rebecca Stokell added the finishing touches with an aggressive 26 not out at No. 6. With a four and two sixes in her 12-ball innings, Stokell made sure Ireland scored 41 runs in the final four overs.
2nd Semi Final: Bangladesh Women vs Thailand Women
Bangladesh Women 113/5
Thailand Women (20 ov, T:114) 102/6
Bangladesh Women won by 11 runs
In the second semi-final, Natthakan Chantham scored an aggressive 64 off 51 balls for Thailand, but it was in vain as Bangladesh’s superb bowling and the other batters’ lack of cooperation were the game’s deciding factors. Chantham’s innings featured four fours and three sixes, although captain Naruemol Chaiwai’s 12 was Thailand’s next-best total in response to Bangladesh’s 113 for 5.
By the fifth over, Thailand had been reduced to 13 for 3 by Sanjida Akter Meghla and Salma Khatun. Chatham and Chaiwai then momentarily stabilised the innings with a partnership of 32 before Nahida Akter broke their partnership. Although Chantham and Sornnarin Tippoch added 50 runs to the total, Bangladesh won the match and qualified for the World Cup thanks to Salma’s two late wickets, including Chatham’s.
