Eight emerging nations will battle for the two remaining places at the Women's T20 World Cup and aim to join hosts South Africa and leading teams Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and West Indies at the showpiece event.

Bangladesh, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Thailand, UAE, the United States and Zimbabwe will meet in a series of T20Is in Abu Dhabi from 18 September to decide which two teams will be on a plane to South Africa next year.

Bangladesh sits just outside the group of teams already qualified for the tournament with a MRF Tyres Women's T20I Ranking of 9, while the United States enter the Qualifier as the dark horses with a Ranking of 28.

How the Qualifier works

The Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier will be played across two venues in Abu Dhabi; Zayed Cricket Stadium and Tolerance Oval.

The group games will take place on 18, 19, 21 September, followed by the crucial playoffs and a final on 25 September. 

The top two teams will seal their berth in the main event, which will be played in South Africa in February and March 2023.

The eight teams have been divided into two groups of four, with the top two teams in each group progressing to a playoff that will decide the final qualifiers for the Women’s T20 World Cup.

The top team in each group will take on the second-place finisher in the opposite group, with the winners of each high-stakes playoff booking their ticket to South Africa next year. 

The two qualifiers will then play in a final to determine which group they will at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.

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How to watch the Qualifier

The Qualifier will be live and FREE on ICC.tv in most regions with on-demand highlights available shortly after each match. 

It is free to Sign Up to ICC.tv.

You can then watch the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier live and FREE on ICC.tv in all regions (other than Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan) on:

* ICC.tv website
* ICC.tv mobile apps (available in the App Store and Google Play)
* Samsung TV and LG TV apps

Fans in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Pakistan can watch all the T20I action on FanCode.

Women's T20WC Qualifier groups

Group A Teams

Bangladesh

Squad: Nigar Sultana (c), Sharmin Akter, Shamima Sultana, Shohaly Ahther, Rumana Ahmed, Ritu Moni, Lata Mondal, Salma Khatun, Sobhana Mostary, Nahida Akter, Murshida Khatun, Mst Fariha Islam Trisna, Fahima Khatun, Sanjida Akter, Marufa Akter

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 9

Key Player: Salma Khatun - The experienced all-rounder caused opposition batters plenty of problems when she took a team-best 10 wickets at the Women's World Cup earlier this year and more of the same can be expected in Dubai.

Summary: Bangladesh will enter the qualifier as one of the teams to beat, given they have recent experience at the ICC Women's World Cup in New Zealand from earlier this year and are the highest ranked team at the event. Nigar Sultana's side managed an upset victory over Pakistan at the 50-over World Cup in March and will be hoping to turn some of that form into positive results during the group stage of the qualifier. Jahanara Alam was ruled out of the tournament with an injury while Fargana Hoque Pinky dropped out due to covid. They were replaced in the squad by Mst Fariha Islam Trisna and Shohaly Ahther respectively.

Ireland

Squad: Laura Delany (c), Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 11

Key Player: Gaby Lewis - The Ireland batter is one of the best young players in women's cricket and is more than capable of playing a match-winning innings at the top of the batting order. Lewis made her international debut at 13 and was the first Ireland player to hit a women's T20I century.

Summary: Ireland have had the luxury of taking on some of the strongest teams in women's cricket in recent times, with Laura Delany's side having hosted South Africa, Australia and Pakistan for home T20I over the last few months. While results haven't always gone their way, Ireland haven't been too far off the pace and are more than capable of qualifying for next year's event.

Scotland

Squad: Kathryn Bryce (c), Sarah Bryce, Abtaha Maqsood, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Ailsa Lister, Katherine Fraser, Kathleen McGill, Priyanaz Chatterji, Lorna Jack, Megan McColl, Ellen Watson, Hannah Rainey, Olivia Bell, Saskia Horley, Rachel Slater

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 13

Key Player: Kathryn Bryce - The skipper burst onto the scene when making her T20I debut in 2018 and quickly earned recognition as the ICC's Associate Women's player of the decade for 2011-20. The all-rounder averages 40.43 in 26 T20Is with the bat while scoring at just under a run-a-ball, but is even more damaging with a new white ball in hand. The 24-year-old has claimed 25 wickets at an average of just 13.56 and will be crucial to Scotland's chances of qualification.

Summary: Scotland need to find form fast after looking out of sorts in two recent warm-up matches against Ireland, especially in the first T20I that they lost by 8 wickets. But at their best they should be one of the teams to beat and showed they can turn it on when it counts when winning the Europe Qualifier ahead of Ireland to reach this stage of the competition back in August 2021.

United States

Squad: Sindhu Sriharsha (c), Geetika Kodali, Anika Kolan, Bhumika Bhadriraju, Disha Dhingra, Gargi Bhogle, lsani Vaghela, Lisa Ramjit, Moksha Chaudhary, Preeti lyenger, Ritu Singh, Snigdha Paul, Suhani Thadani, Taranum Chopra, Yashaditi Teki. Reserves: Mahika Kandanala, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Uzma lfthikar

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 28

Key Player: Sindhu Sriharsha - The experienced skipper only recently scored her maiden T20I half-century when she hit an unbeaten 50 against Thailand and the ever-improving USA will be hoping the 34-year-old can continue this form into the qualifier event.

Summary: While consistency is still an issue for the USA, they have shown to be more than capable of causing the odd upset and should not be underestimated. Sixteen-year-old all-rounder Isani Vaghela is among a group of talented young players to keep an eye on as this young American side are sure to improve with the experience.

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Group B teams

Papua New Guinea

Squad: Kaia Arua (c), Melanie Ani, Vicky Araa, Hollan Doriga, Kevau Frank, Veru Frank, Sibona Jimmy, Ravina Oa, Tanya Ruma, Pauke Siaka, Brenda Tau, Henao Thomas, Mairi Tom, Isabel Toua, Naoani Vare

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 15

Key Player: Sibona Jimmy - The all-rounder shone for PNG during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2019 and much will be expected of the left-hander with the bat when proceedings commence at the Abu Dhabi Cricket & Sports Hub. Jimmy is just as capable with the ball, with her slow off-spinners likely to be used during the middle overs to attempt to slow opposition teams.

Summary: The ever-improving Papua New Guinea side surprised a few at the qualifier tournament for the T20 World Cup in 2019 and may do similar here if opposition teams continue to underestimate them. They have some talented all-rounders in their ranks like Pauke Siaka and Jimmy, while skipper Kaia Arua is among a group of good spinners that are sure to be used at various times at the tournament.

Thailand

Squad: Naruemol Chaiwai (c), Nannapat Khoncharoenkai, Nattaya Boochatham, Chanida Sutthiruang, Natthakan Chantham, Sornnarin Tippoch, Onnicha Kamchomphu, Suleeporn Laomi, Rosenanee Kanoh,  Thipatcha Putthawong,  Phannita Maya, Suwanan Khiaoto, Aphisara Suwanchonrathi, Sunida Chaturongrattana, Nanthita Boonsukham

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 10

Key Player: Sornnarin Tippoch - The 36-year-old is a capable top-order batter and an even more accomplished bowler with her wily off-spin often causing opposition teams plenty of problems. 

Summary: History suggests Thailand are the team to beat in Group B, with the Asian nation impressing when they reached the T20 World Cup two years ago in Australia. Whether they can replicate that form here remains to be seen, but recent results also suggest they will be very competitive. Skipper Naruemol Chaiwai is likely to have plenty of spin options at her disposal, while the batting will rely heavily on Nannapat Koncharoenkai, Natthakan Chantham and Tippoch.

UAE

Squad: Chaya Mughal (c), Natasha Cherriath, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Siya Gokhale, Priyanjali Jain, Lavanya Keny, Suraksha Kotte, Vaishnave Mahesh, Indhuja Nandakumar, Esha Oza, Rinitha Rajith, Rithika Rajith, Theertha Satish, Khushi Sharma

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 14

Key Player: Theertha Satish - It is far from ideal to place hopes of qualification on an 18-year-old but this rising star already looks suited to the big stage and may well light up the T20 World Cup if UAE books a ticket to South Africa. Satish is averaging 42.21 with four half-centuries and a strike-rate of 116.11 from her first 23 T20Is, as bowlers often struggle to lockdown let alone dismiss the opener.

Summary: UAE missed an opportunity to build form when dropping all three of their warm-up T20Is. This included a 25-run loss to the lower-ranked USA, and most worryingly defeats at the hands of two teams in their Qualifier group in Thailand and Zimbabwe. But before their recent slump, UAE triumphed in all 13 of their completed T20Is this year so will hope they can turn it on again when the tournament starts.

Zimbabwe

Squad: Mary-Anne Musonda (c), Modester Mupachikwa, Kelis Ndhlovu, Sharne Mayers, Josephine Nkomo, Precious Marange, Christabel Chatonzwa, Loreen Tshuma, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Esther Mbofana, Pellagia Mujaji, Audrey Mazvishaya, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Francisca Chipare

Women’s T20I Team Ranking: 12

Key Player: Esther Mbofana - The 29-year-old made a huge impression when she picked up the superb figures of 6/11 on her T20I debut and the Zimbabwe pacer may inflict more pain on opposition batters during this tournament. Expect Zimbabwe to use Mbofana with the new ball and don't be surprised to see the right-armer pick up a couple of early wickets each innings.

Summary: Zimbabwe have been in some good form in recent times and they can be considered as one of the favourites to progress from Group B at the tournament. They have some decent depth in their batting ranks and some decent options with the ball that includes pace duo Josephine Nkomo and Mbofana and the guile of spinner Precious Marange.

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2022 – Fixtures

Full fixtures 

Thailand v UAE: 18 September 
Zimbabwe v Papua New Guinea: 18 September 
Bangladesh v Ireland: 18 September 
Scotland v USA: 18 September 
Thailand v Zimbabwe: 19 September 
Papua New Guinea v UAE: 19 September 
Bangladesh v Scotland: 19 September 
Ireland v USA: 19 September 
Bangladesh v USA: 21 September 
Scotland v Ireland: 21 September 
Thailand v Papua New Guinea: 21 September 
Zimbabwe v UAE: 21 September 
Zimbabwe v Ireland - Semi-Final: 23 September 
Scotland v UAE - Playoff: 23 September 
Bangladesh v Thailand - Semi-Final: 23 September 
Papua New Guinea v USA - Playoff: 23 September 
Zimbabwe v Thailand - 3/4 Playoff: 25 September 
UAE v USA - 7/8 Playoff: 25 September 
Scotland v Papua New Guinea - 5/6 Playoff: 25 September 
Bangladesh v Ireland - Final: 25 September 

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