Ireland star rises rankings following superb knock in Nepal

The rise of Orla Prendergast has continued as the impressive Ireland all-rounder made big gains on the latest ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings.

Prendergast made a flying start to the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier event in Nepal as she scored a superb half-century in her side's victory over Papua New Guinea.

The 23-year-old hit 56 from just 44 deliveries to guide Ireland to a match-winning score of 146/6 at the Mulpani Cricket Ground as the European side claimed a 41-run victory, aiming to qualify for this year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales.

Prendergast was awarded the Player of the Match award for her effort and also rose four places to 20th overall on the updated rankings for T20I batters.

The Ireland star also moved up three spots to sixth overall on the list for T20I all-rounders, with her spell of 0/9 from four economical overs ensuring Papua New Guinea's top-order couldn't make many inroads on the run chase.

Prendergast wasn't the only player from Ireland to make a move on the latest rankings update, with teammate and skipper Gaby Lewis jumping two places to 16th overall for T20I batters following her knock of 42 against Papua New Guinea.

Ireland seamer Arlene Kelly claimed two wickets in that match and rose three places to 43rd on the list for T20I bowlers, while Papua New Guinea veteran Pauke Siaka jumped 13 spots to equal 53rd following good figures of 1/14.

The start of the Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier also saw Bangladesh, Thailand and the Netherlands register victories and it was a pair of experienced batters from two of those sides that were rewarded on the rankings.

Thailand veteran Natthakan Chantham hit an unbeaten 57 in a comprehensive eight-wicket triumph over Nepal to rise two spots to equal 31st on the latest rankings for T20I batters, while Sharmin Akhter made 63 for Bangladesh in their 21-run victory over the USA and gained 13 places to move to 57th as a result.