"VAN" (Sports Desk - 22.01.2026) :: The Netherlands won a final-ball thriller against Nepal, triumphing by just two runs in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Qualifier.
Ireland beat the USA by 16 runs, Scotland picked up their first win of the tournament and Bangladesh remained undefeated and moved top of the Group A table.
Netherlands hold their nerve against Nepal
The Netherlands won on the final ball of their Group B match with Nepal, claiming victory by just two runs.
Babette De Leede and Sterre Kalis rescued the Netherlands from 15 for two, putting on 79 before Kalis departed for 30.
Skipper De Leede made 49 from 47 before being caught and bowled by Rubina Chhetry as the Netherlands made 140 for five, taking 13 crucial runs from the final over.
In reply, Nepal were routinely pegged back, reaching the halfway mark of the innings at 55 for four.
Chhetry (37) and Sita Magar (27) put on an unbroken stand of 45 for the eighth wicket, but needing six off the last ball, Chhetry could only manage four as the Netherlands hung on for their third win.
Kelly keeps Ireland on the charge
Arlene Kelly’s four for 20 led Ireland to a 16-run win over the USA for their second victory of the Qualifier.
Ireland opted to bat and were well-placed at 104 for three when Gaby Lewis departed for 42.
Leah Paul topped the scoring with 67 from 52 balls, including eight fours, before two late run outs gave the USA hope as Ireland posted 154 for seven.
Moderate top order scorers gave the USA a platform to build from when Chetna Pagydyala (22) became Kelly’s first wicket with the score at 64 for four.
Ritu Singh’s 41 from 30 balls gave her side hope, but those were snuffed out as Kelly halted the USA’s progress, taking two wickets in the final over to confirm victory.
Fraser sets up Scotland victory
Scotland’s middle order helped them through a wobble on their way to a five-wicket win over Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe chose to bat but lost both of their openers cheaply to sit at 24 for two in the fourth over.
Modester Mupachikwa steadied her side from number three but was unable to build a steady partnership.
Zimbabwe lost their final six wickets for just 23 runs, as Mupachikwa ended on 30 not out and Abtaha Maqsood claimed two wickets in two balls on the way to two for 14.
In reply to 101, Scotland lost Darcey Carter early before Katherine Fraser broke the back of the chase with 44 from 30.
Sarah Bryce and Ailsa Lister fell in the same Loreen Tshuma over to leave Scotland at 76 for four before Megan McColl (12 not out) and Priyanaz Chatterji (15 not out) steered their side home with 6.2 overs to spare.
Shanjida spins Bangladesh to big win
Four wickets for Shanjida Akther Maghla helped Bangladesh to an 80-run win as all 10 Namibia wickets fell to spin.
Dilara Akter set the tone at the top of the order for Bangladesh with 25 before Sobhana Mostary (27) and Nigar Sultana Joty (21) put on 46 for the fourth wicket.
Rabeya Khan (11) helped to negotiate a late order wobble as Bangladesh set Namibia 145 to win.
In response, captain Sune Wittmann made 19 at the top of the order but struggled for support.
Rabeya (three for five) and Shanjida (four for 14) took care of the middle and lower order before Fahima Khatun (three for 12) finished the job as Namibia were bowled out for 64.
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