Thailand, the Netherlands and the USA win thrillers at Qualifier

Media release

The Netherlands, the USA and Thailand won thrilling contests as three matches went down to the wire at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026.

The Dutch beat Scotland by seven runs, USA edged past Namibia by four wickets and in the closest game of the lot, Thailand defeated Zimbabwe by one run.

Bangladesh were more comfortable victors, beating Papua New Guinea by 30 runs to go two from two in Group A.

Netherlands hold off spirited Scotland

Sterre Kallis’ unbeaten 87 helped the Netherlands to a seven-run win over Scotland.

Kallis entered the fray with her side 27 for two but fired 14 fours and a six in her entertaining 60-ball knock to lead her side to 157 for six, with the next highest individual score 18.

Rachel Slater took three for 24 for Scotland, who were in the hunt throughout the reply thanks to contributions from Katherine Fraser (41), captain Kathryn Bryce (42) and her sister Sarah Bryce (30).

Thirteen runs from the penultimate over left Scotland needing 11 from the last but Heather Siegers held her nerve, conceding just three as the Dutch continued their winning start.

Claridge leads USA chase

Ella Claridge’s sparkling 70 led the USA to a four-wicket win over Namibia.

Yasmeen Khan dominated the Namibia innings, striking 11 fours and two sixes in her excellent 74 from 47 balls before being stumped by Claridge off the bowling of Tara Norris, who took three for 34.

Merczerly Gorases added 28 as Namibia finished on 144 for six, Isani Vaghela chipping in with two for 15 from three economical overs.

In reply, the USA were up against it on 75 for four in the 14th over but Claridge remained calm, stepping on the accelerator when her side needed 30 from the final three overs.

She fell for 70 from 51 having taken her side to the brink of victory, Ritu Singh adding a vital 21 from 10 as USA got home with four balls to spare.

Thailand win thriller against Zimbabwe

Thailand kept their cool to win a nerve-shredding encounter against Zimbabwe by one run, making it two wins from two.

Thailand batted first and lost Aphisara Suwanchonrathi to the second ball of the innings but wicketkeeper Nannapat Koncharoenkai made 54 from 52 balls, while Natthakan Chantham hit two sixes in her entertaining 26.

Zimbabwe hit back with the ball, Adel Zimunu and Audrey Mazvishaya taking two wickets apiece, as Thailand slipped from 101 for three to 111 for seven, ultimately setting Zimbabwe 116 to win.

Opener Beloved Biza was run out without facing but Modester Mupachikwa (36) and Kelis Ndhlovu (28) kept their side in the hunt.

The equation came down to nine from the last over and two from the last ball, which Nyasha Gwanzura struck straight back to bowler Phannita Maya, who completed the run out and set off on a jubilant celebration.

Shorna stars for Bangladesh

Shorna Akter played a starring role as Bangladesh beat Papua New Guinea by 30 runs.

Dilara Akter (35) and Sharmin Akhter (28) laid the foundations before Shorna and Sobhana Mostary picked up the baton.

Shorna blasted four sixes in her 14-ball 37 while Sobhana added an unbeaten 34 from 24 as Bangladesh racked up 168 for five.

PNG were well set on 98 for two in the 14th over in reply but the dismissal of captain Brenda Tau for 35 halted their momentum.

Six Bangladesh bowlers took a wicket apiece, including Shorna and Sobhana, as they closed out a comfortable victory.

Scores in brief

Zimbabwe v Thailand - Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu

Thailand 115/7 in 20 overs (Nannapat Koncharoenkai 54, Natthakan Chantham 26; Audrey Mazvishaya 2/21, Adel Zimunu 2/22)

Zimbabwe 114/6 in 20 overs (Modester Mupachikwa 36, Kelis Ndhlovu 28; Thipatcha Putthawong 2/27, Sunida Chaturongrattana 1/11)

Result: Thailand won by one run

Papua New Guinea v Bangladesh - Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur

Bangladesh 168/5 in 20 overs (Shorna Akter 37, Dilara Akter 35; Dika Lohia 1/25, Mairi Tom 1/37)

Papua New Guinea 138/9 in 20 overs (Brenda Tau 35, Sibona Jimmy 28; Shorna Akter 1/6, Sobhana Mostary 1/12)

Result: Bangladesh won by 30 runs

Scotland v Netherlands - Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur

Netherlands 157/6 in 20 overs (Sterre Kallis 87 not out, Heather Siegers 18; Rachel Slater 3/24, Abtaha Maqsood 1/21)

Scotland 150/5 in 20 overs (Kathryn Bryce 42, Katherine Fraser 41; Caroline de Lange 2/27, Silver Siegers 1/18)

Result: Netherlands won by seven runs

Namibia v USA - Mulpani Cricket Ground, Kathmandu

Namibia 144/6 in 20 overs (Yasmeen Khan 74, Merczerly Gorases 28; Tara Norris 3/34, Isani Vaghela 2/15)

USA 145/6 in 19.2 overs (Ella Claridge 70, Ritu Singh 21; Eveleen Kejaruka 2/25, Saima Tuhadeleni 2/28)

Result: USA won by four wickets