Australia, South Africa complete semi-final line up at Women's T20 World Cup

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The race for the semi-final spots in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 has gone right into the last game between Australia and India, with two spots in Group A still up for grabs.

In Group B, England's 38-run victory over West Indies on Wednesday ensured they became the first team to seal a semi-final berth. However, New Zealand failed to capitalise on Ireland's historic win over the Windies and as a result, Hayley Matthews and co became the second team to punch their ticket.

With South Africa having won their game against Bangladesh, a lot rides on the result of the final group stage fixture between India and Australia.

Group A

Australia [QUALIFIED]

5 matches | 10 points | NRR +3.882

Six-time T20 World Cup champions Australia have stamped their class on the tournament with four dominating wins. They began their campaign with a 65-run win over 2024 finalists South Africa in a key clash. 

Since then, Australia have picked up a nine-wicket win over Bangladesh and defeated tournament debutants Netherlands by 98 runs.

In their fourth group game against Pakistan, Ellyse Perry stole the show with an all-round display as Australia marched to a 113-run win.

Australia made sure they ended on a high as they defeated India by six wickets in the final group game. Though they were tested by India, Australia recovered from 68/3 to chase down the target of 171 in 19 overs.

South Africa [QUALIFIED]

5 matches | 8 points | NRR +0.633 

Finalists in the last two editions of the T20 World Cup, South Africa's campaign began with a forgettable 65-run defeat against Australia.

They struggled against Pakistan in the second game, but just got over the line in a two-wicket win.

Marizanne Kapp then put on a stellar display to guide them to a six-wicket win over India to draw them level on points against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led team. South Africa continued the winning momentum with a comprehensive 88-run win against Netherlands on Thursday.

In their final group game, South Africa came up against a spirited Bangladesh side, who bravely defended 117/5. It was a nervy finish for the Proteas, but they notched 118/6 with four balls to spare to bag two crucial points.

India [Out of contention]

5 matches | 6 points | NRR +1.718

The reigning ICC Women's Cricket World Cup champions began their campaign at the T20 World Cup with comprehensive wins over Pakistan and the Netherlands by 64 and 95 runs, respectively.

In their third game, India's power-packed batting line-up came up short against South Africa. An inspired unbeaten half-century by Marizanne Kapp took the game away from India. South Africa beat India by six wickets to throw the group open.

India overcame a spirited challenge by Bangladesh to register a five-wicket win and return to winning ways. 

However, they fell short in a must-win game against Australia to miss out on the semi-final berth.

Bangladesh [Out of contention]

5 matches | 4 points | NRR -0.710 

Two battling wins, on either side of the nine-wicket loss to Australia, have kept Bangladesh in the hunt. They opened with a six-wicket win over Netherlands and their stunning win over Pakistan will give them confidence.

After posting a total of 123/6, Bangladesh spinners Sanjida Akter Meghla and Nahida Akter grabbed three wickets each to restrict Pakistan to 100/8. 

A five-wicket defeat to India on Thursday has set them back. 

Despite a battling performance against South Africa, they went down by six wickets and the result meant Bangladesh were out of semi-final contention.

Pakistan [Out of contention]

5 matches | 2 points | NRR -1.872 

Pakistan opened the campaign with a 64-run defeat to arch-rivals India. Sana's all-round show almost led them to an unlikely victory against South Africa, but they eventually went down by two wickets.

They had their chance against Bangladesh too before they slipped in the chase, and were completely outplayed by Australia. 

However, Pakistan made sure they didn't return empty-handed as they earned a win on their final group game against Netherlands. After putting up 126/6 on the board, they skittled out the Dutch for 89. Fittingly, captain Fatima Sana, who has dazzled with the bat and ball, wrapped up victory with a triple-wicket maiden.

Netherlands [Out of contention]

5 matches | 0 points | NRR -3.276

Netherlands have impressed with their spirit on their Women's T20 World Cup debut. The campaign began with a six-wicket loss to Bangladesh, followed by heavy 95 and 98-run defeats to India and Australia, respectively.

On Thursday, they came up against an inspired South Africa. Tazmin Brits led the charge with an unbeaten century as South Africa piled on 208/1, while Netherlands fell well short at 120/8.

They signed off with a 37-run defeat against Pakistan on Saturday.

Group B

England [QUALIFIED]

4 matches | 8 points | NRR: +2.342

Hosts England fittingly became the first team to confirm their place in the semi-finals.

They have had a few scares in their first three games, but their wealth of talent and experience has always taken the team through with relative ease.

They started their campaign with a comprehensive 87-run win over Sri Lanka, followed it up with a four-wicket win over Ireland and then restricted a spirited Scotland for a 38-run win.

In a clash between the two unbeaten sides in Group B, England emerged victorious, defeating West Indies by 38 runs in a commanding display.

A half-century from Danni Wyatt-Hodge laid the platform for England’s imposing total of 186/7, while a disciplined bowling performance ensured the West Indies never gained momentum in the chase, eventually falling well short of the target.

West Indies [QUALIFIED]

5 matches | 6 points | NRR: -0.147

2016 champions West Indies began their tournament with a statement seven-wicket win over defending champions New Zealand, but the momentum has dropped since then.

They struggled with the bat in their next two games, but found solutions in key moments to beat Scotland by seven runs and Sri Lanka by five wickets.

The West Indies campaign was derailed by a 38-run defeat to England.

Though they suffered a six-wicket loss to Ireland in the final group game, they progressed as the second placed team from Group B after England beat New Zealand.

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Sri Lanka [Out of contention]

5 matches | 6 points | NRR -0.725

It has been a mixed bag for Sri Lanka. While they suffered a heavy defeat against England in the tournament opener, they responded brilliantly with a five-wicket win over defending champions New Zealand.

Despite putting up a spirited show against the West Indies, Sri Lanka lost the game by five wickets. Athapaththu's team went one better in the next game, as the island nation secured a dominant win over Ireland in the following game.

In their final group game, Sri Lanka held their nerve for a three-wicket win over Scotland. It is the first time that the Asian team has won three matches in a single World Cup edition.

New Zealand [Out of contention]

Group B

5 matches | 4 points | NRR -0.118 

The defending champions were in danger of crashing out early after losing their first two matches of the tournament.

The White Ferns opened their title defence with a seven-wicket defeat to West Indies and were upset by Sri Lanka next.

However, they have battled back with two wins on the trot. Melie Kerr's team survived a major scare against a spirited Irish side before snatching a four-run win. Putting up a much composed performance, New Zealand registered a six-wicket win over Scotland to stay in contention.

However, they came up against a dominant England side in the final group game. A nine-wicket defeat to the hosts eliminated them from semi-final race.

Scotland [Out of contention]

5 matches | 2 points | NRR -0.232

Though Scotland finished their campaign with a narrow defeat to Sri Lanka, they have lit up with World Cup stage with their never-say-die attitude.

In the opening game, they beat Ireland by 40 runs to register their first Women's T20 World Cup victory. They have punched above their weight in the competition and had their moments against West Indies, England and New Zealand as well.

Scotland put on a spirited show against Sri Lanka as well, as Sarah Bryce's late charge saw the team put on a fighting 151/6. After weathering an early storm by Chamari Athapaththu, they stretched Sri Lanka to the final over, before falling just short.

Ireland [Out of contention]

5 matches | 2 points | NRR -0.875

Ireland may not have made the semi-finals, but they had a memorable outing as they earned a historic first T20 World Cup win.

Their campaign began with a 40-run defeat against Scotland, but they put England under tremendous pressure despite the four-wicket loss, before almost causing the upset of the tournament against New Zealand.

They could not make much of a dent against Sri Lanka in the next match.

In their final group game, however, Ireland came up with a composed performance with bat and ball to beat the West Indies by six wickets. After 12 years, five T20 World Cup campaigns and 22 matches, they finally notched their first win in the tournament.

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