Race to semis: Three spots remain as England punch final-four ticket

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With most of the group stage completed at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026, the race for the semi-finals is heating up.

England's 38-run victory over West Indies on Wednesday ensured they became the first team to seal a semi-final berth.

With just three semi-final spots still up for grabs, the race for the knockout stage could go right down to the final day of the group phase.

Group A

Australia

4 matches | 8 points | NRR +4.724

Six-time 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.

Their superior net run rate gives them the edge as they take on India in the final four game on Sunday. Australia can progress to the final four even if they lose to India.

India

3 matches | 4 points | NRR +2.511

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 will look to secure wins against Bangladesh and Australia to seal their spot in the semi-final, for another defeat would result in an exit if South Africa win their remaining matches in Group A.

South Africa

3 matches | 4 points | NRR: -0.546

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, but with a weaker net run-rate.

Their fate is still potentially in their hands, but they will need to make sure they beat the Netherlands and Bangladesh heavily to improve their NRR, just in case India wins their remaining group stage fixtures as well.

Bangladesh

3 matches | 4 points | NRR -0.641

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. The road gets tougher for Bangladesh as they take on India and South Africa next.

Pakistan [Out of contention]

4 matches | 0 points | NRR -2,831 

Pakistan's race is run with four defeats in as many matches. Though captain Fatima Sana has dazzled with the bat and ball, she hasn't always found enough support from the team.

They 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.

Pakistan had their chance against Bangladesh too before they slipped in the chase, and were completely outplayed by Australia. They will hope to get on the board in their final group game against Netherlands .

Netherlands [Out of contention]

3 matches | 0 points | NRR -3.384

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.

They take on South Africa next, followed by their last match of the tournament against Pakistan.

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

4 matches | 6 points | NRR: +0.008

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.

Despite the defeat to England, West Indies still have their fate in their own hands, with victory over Ireland in their final group-stage match guaranteeing a place in the semi-finals.

New Zealand

Group B

4 matches | 4 points | NRR +0.122

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.

The White Ferns' fate is not entirely in their own hands, but they have to win the final group game against England to give themselves a chance.

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Sri Lanka

4 matches | 4 points | NRR -0.973

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.

Captain Chamari Athapaththu lit up Bristol County Ground with an unbeaten century to lead her team to a nine-wicket win over Ireland in 15.3 overs. That helped Sri Lanka improve the net run-rate from -1.913 to -0.973. 

Even if they win their final game against Scotland, the Lankans will have to hope the other results fall in place for them to sneak through.

Scotland [Out of contention]

4 matches | 2 points | NRR -0.236

Scotland's daring run will end in the group stage as a six-wicket defeat to New Zealand on Tuesday ended their semi-final chances.

They beat Ireland by 40 runs to make a bright start to the tournament. Though Scotland had their moments in the next two matches as well, they were not able to get over the finish line against West Indies and England.

With their hopes hanging in balance, the Scottish batting line-up crumbled against the White Ferns, save a sparkling half-century by Darcey Carter. Izzy Sharp led the way as New Zealand recovered from 26/3 to chase down the target of 132 in the 19th over.

Their final group game will be against Sri Lanka.

Ireland [Out of contention]

4 matches | 0 points | NRR -1.277

Competing in their fifth T20 World Cup, Ireland are yet to win a match at the tournament. But they have come agonisingly close. 

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, but will be looking to go out on a high against the West Indies.

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