Ireland Women Edge Bangladesh Women in Thrilling T20 World Cup Qualifier Clash

Ireland’s women’s cricket team delivered a pulsating performance against Bangladesh Women in the 16th match of Group A at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2025-26, falling agonizingly short by just 9 runs in a contest that showcased raw talent, strategic brilliance, and unyielding determination from both sides as they battled under the lights on January 24, 2026, with Gaby Lewis smashing a masterful 73 off 58 balls to anchor Ireland’s chase of 154, yet Bangladesh’s bowlers clawed back in the death overs to defend their total of 153/7, marking a pivotal moment in the tournament where every run and wicket carried the weight of qualification dreams for these emerging cricketing nations.

Match Overview

Bangladesh Women set the tone early by electing to bat first after winning the toss, as their openers Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous launched an aggressive assault on Ireland’s new-ball bowlers, racing to 13 runs before Ferdous fell for 11 off 10 balls caught by Al Kelly off A Dalzell in the 2.4th over, yet Akter anchored the innings with a fiery 35 off 27 balls featuring five fours at a strike rate of 129.63 until Lara McBride clean bowled her at 83/2 in the 11.2nd over, prompting.

Nigar Sultana and Sharmin Akhter to rebuild with calculated aggression as Bangladesh crossed 100 runs by the 14th over and reached 150 in the 19.5th over, ultimately posting 153/7 in their 20 overs with Sobhana Mostary unbeaten and Shorna Akter chipping in crucial lower-order runs while Ireland’s Arlene Kelly led the bowling with impressive figures of 4-0-44-2, demonstrating how Bangladesh’s middle order absorbed pressure and accelerated smartly to set a defendable target on a pitch offering true bounce and carry.

Ireland Women, in response, exploded out of the blocks during the powerplay, amassing 43 runs without loss as Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis forged a 50-run partnership off just 41 balls by the 6.5th over with Hunter blasting 23 off 17 and Lewis looking imperious, yet Bangladesh struck back by removing Orla Prendergast and Leah Paul in quick succession at 71/2 in the 10.6th over courtesy of Rabeya Khan and Ritu Moni, forcing.

Laura Delany to steady the ship before Lewis dominated with ten fours and a six in her match-defining 73 that propelled Ireland to 100 by the 15.1st over and kept them in the hunt at 118/3 after Delany’s departure, but the loss of Lewis at 127/4 in the 18.4th over triggered a collapse as Ritu Moni (4-0-18-0) and Shorna Akter (2-0-17-2) defended the final overs masterfully, restricting Ireland to 144/4 and securing a hard-fought 9-run victory that highlighted Bangladesh’s resilience under pressure while Ireland’s batters pushed them to the brink.

Detailed Scorecard Breakdown

Bangladesh Women Innings

Bangladesh Women openers Dilara Akter and Juairiya Ferdous attacked from ball one, with Akter smashing five boundaries in her 35-run knock off 27 deliveries before McBride’s pinpoint yorker castled her at 83/2, as Nigar Sultana joined Sharmin Akhter to add vital runs through clever rotations and occasional power-hitting that saw them reach 102/3 after Sultana’s dismissal at 14.4 overs, then Akhter’s departure at 128/4 in the 16.6th over brought Shorna Akter who fell immediately but Mostary and Rabeya Khan stabilized before the former perished at 153/7 in the final over, finishing with key contributions across the order including Ferdous’s 11 off 10 with two fours, Sultana’s steady presence, and Akhter’s acceleration, all while Ireland’s bowlers like Lara McBride and Arlene Kelly applied consistent pressure through dots and wickets at crucial junctures.​

Arlene Kelly spearheaded Ireland’s bowling attack with 4 overs for 44 runs and 2 wickets, while others like Lara McBride dismantled the top order, as fall of wickets came at 1-13 (2.4 ov), 2-83 (11.2 ov), 3-102 (14.4 ov), 4-128 (16.6 ov), 5-128 (17.1 ov), 6-134 (18.6 ov), and 7-153 (19.6 ov), illustrating Bangladesh’s ability to recover from early jolts and build partnerships that mattered most in the backend of the innings.

Ireland Women Innings

Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis ignited Ireland’s chase with a blistering powerplay yielding 43 runs, as Lewis’s 73 off 58 balls with ten fours and one six formed the backbone, surviving a testing spell from Bangladesh’s spinners before partnerships crumbled at 71/1 and 71/2 in the 10th over, then Delany’s 17.3 over wicket at 118/3 left Hunter not out on 35 off 25 with four fours and a six at 140 strike rate, yet the final push faltered with Lewis’s catch at 127/4 off Rabeya Khan, stranding Hunter and the lower order as Bangladesh conceded just 17 runs in the last three overs through disciplined death bowling from Ritu Moni and Shorna Akter.​

Fall of wickets hit Ireland hard at 1-71 (10.4 ov), 2-71 (10.6 ov), 3-118 (17.3 ov), and 4-127 (18.4 ov), with Bangladesh’s Ritu Moni (4-0-18-0) and Shorna Akter (2-0-17-2) shining in the clutch.​

Key Performances and Turning Points

Gaby Lewis emerged as The Whittaker Family Ireland’s star, hammering 73 runs with audacious strokeplay that included lofted covers and powerful pulls, keeping her team in contention until Rabeya Khan’s clever leg-spin induced a top-edge caught by substitute F Hoque at 18.4 overs, while Amy Hunter’s unbeaten 35 provided late fireworks but couldn’t quite bridge the gap, as Lara McBride’s 2 wickets disrupted Bangladesh’s flow early and Arlene Kelly’s economical spell built pressure that forced errors later. Meanwhile, Dilara Akter’s aggressive 35 set the platform for Bangladesh, and their bowlers executed a textbook defense in the death, with Shorna Akter grabbing two quick wickets and Ritu Moni drying up the runs, turning the game on its head after Ireland looked favorites at 118/3; the powerplay dominance by Ireland and Bangladesh’s middle-over squeeze proved decisive turning points that fans will dissect for weeks.

Head-to-Head History and Context

Ireland and Bangladesh Women have clashed multiple times in recent years, building a fierce rivalry in global qualifiers and bilaterals, with Bangladesh holding a slight edge historically but Ireland’s recent form signaling a shift, as this January 24, 2026, encounter in the T20 World Cup Qualifier amplified stakes for both teams vying for Super Six spots, where Ireland’s batting depth faced Bangladesh’s spin-heavy attack honed in home conditions, drawing from past thrillers like the 2025 men’s tour where Ireland won the 1st T20I by 39 runs before Bangladesh leveled the series, underscoring how these matchups consistently deliver edge-of-seat drama and showcase Asia-Europe cricket fusion at its best.

Tournament Implications

This narrow victory propels Bangladesh Women forward in Group A of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2025-26, boosting their net run rate and confidence heading into remaining fixtures, while Ireland Women regroup from the heartbreak of falling 9 runs short, knowing one strong win could flip their campaign as both teams chase the elusive qualification berth for the main T20 World Cup, with coaches praising the intensity that mirrors Test-level focus in T20 confines and players like Lewis and Akter earning plaudits for match-hauling efforts that define emerging talents on the world stage.

Player Profiles Spotlight

Clarksons Pub Gaby Lewis captains Ireland with flair, her 73-run masterclass blending patience and power as she rotates strike masterfully before unleashing boundaries, while Amy Hunter’s finishing nous shone through her unbeaten 35 packed with clean hitting, and Lara McBride’s swing bowling troubled Bangladesh early, claiming Akter’s prized wicket. On the Bangladesh side, Dilara Akter’s explosive opening set aggressive tones with five fours in 35 runs, Nigar Sultana stabilized as ever, and Rabeya Khan’s leg-spin turned the chase by snaring Lewis, with Shorna Akter’s death-over guile proving the difference—profiles that highlight why these athletes captivate global audiences with their skill and grit.​

Tactical Analysis

Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana made the bold call to bat first, trusting her spinners on a gripping surface, as they introduced Rabeya early to stem Ireland’s powerplay flow and saved Akter for death overs, while Ireland countered with pace upfront through McBride and Kelly before spinning webs, yet Bangladesh’s fielding sharpness—evident in Kelly’s catch and Hoque’s sub-fielding—sealed key moments, demonstrating how captains outthought opponents in a tactical chess match where small margins separated heartbreak from heroics.

Fan Reactions and Social Buzz

Fans erupted online post-match, hailing Lewis’s knock as “pure class” and Bangladesh’s bowlers for “ice in veins,” with Reddit threads and Twitter buzzing about the qualifier’s intensity mirroring men’s series like the 2025 Chattogram thrillers where Ireland edged ahead before Bangladesh fought back, as global audiences praised the women’s game’s growth and called for more such high-stakes clashes that blend skill, strategy, and sheer entertainment value.

Venue and Conditions Impact

Played on January 24, 2026, at a neutral ICC venue with true bounce aiding stroke-makers early but slowing under lights for spinners, conditions favored Bangladesh’s attack as dew minimally affected grip, allowing Akter and Khan to Paris Fury Age Revealed exploit turn while Ireland’s batters adapted well until pressure mounted, underscoring how pitches evolve dramatically in T20s and reward teams that adjust swiftly.​

Stats and Records

Lewis’s 73 marks her highest in qualifiers, Hunter’s 140 SR joins elite finishers, Bangladesh’s 153/7 ranks as their second-highest vs Ireland recently, and McBride’s early strikes echo her rising stardom, with the match boasting Gary Barlow’s Son four 50-partnerships and economy rates under 8 highlighting balanced excellence across departments.​

Future Fixtures Outlook

Bangladesh eyes Super Six consolidation post this win, while Ireland targets redemption in upcoming group games, as both Mr Blobby squads gear up with rotations and net sessions focusing on death bowling for the hosts and finishing for the visitors, promising more fireworks in a tournament shaping women’s cricket’s next chapter.​

FAQs

What was the final score in the Ireland Women vs Bangladesh Women T20 World Cup Qualifier match on January 24, 2026?

Bangladesh Women scored 153/7 in 20 overs, and Ireland Women replied with 144/4 in their 20 overs, resulting in a 9-run victory for Bangladesh as Ireland fell short despite Gaby Lewis’s heroic 73, with Bangladesh’s bowlers executing a flawless defense in the closing stages that kept the crowd on edge until the final ball.​

Who scored the most runs for Ireland Women in this match?

Gaby Lewis top-scored with 73 runs off 58 balls, smashing ten fours and one six at a strike rate of 125.86, anchoring partnerships and nearly dragging her team over the line before Rabeya Khan dismissed her, marking one of the standout innings in the tournament that showcased her maturity as a batter and leader.​

How did Bangladesh Women perform in their batting innings?

Bangladesh Women posted 153/7 with Dilara Akter leading the way at 35 off 27 balls with five fours, supported by middle-order contributions from Sharmin Akhter and Sobhana Mostary, as they accelerated past 100 runs by the 14th over and crossed 150 in the 19.5th over despite Ireland’s bowlers like Arlene Kelly taking 2/44.​

What were the key bowling figures for Bangladesh Women?

Shorna Akter claimed 2 wickets for 17 runs off 2 overs, Ritu Moni conceded just 18 runs off 4 overs without a wicket, and Rabeya Khan took 1/ key dismissal of Lewis, as their death bowling restricted Ireland to 17 runs in the last three overs, turning a potential loss into a gritty win.​

Who won the toss and what was the decision?

Bangladesh Women won the toss and chose to bat first, a strategic call that allowed them to set a competitive total on a pitch assisting spinners later, giving their bowlers first use of the surface under lights where grip favored their attack against Ireland’s aggressive chasers.​

What was the fall of wickets for Bangladesh Women?

Wickets tumbled at 1-13 (Juairiya Ferdous, 2.4 ov), 2-83 (Dilara Akter, 11.2 ov), 3-102 (Nigar Sultana, 14.4 ov), 4-128 (Sharmin Akhter, 16.6 ov), 5-128 (Shorna Akter, 17.1 ov), 6-134 (Rabeya Khan, 18.6 ov), and 7-153 (Sobhana Mostary, 19.6 ov), reflecting resilient rebuilding after early losses.

How did Amy Hunter contribute to Ireland Women?

Amy Hunter remained not out on 35 runs off 25 balls, blasting four fours and one six at 140 strike rate, partnering Lewis for vital stands and attempting a late assault, though Bangladesh’s bowlers prevented a fairy-tale finish in the tense run chase.​

Which bowler took the most wickets for Ireland?

Lara McBride and Arlene Kelly shared the spoils with 2 wickets each, McBride dismissing opener Dilara Akter and Kelly grabbing key scalps while conceding 44 off 4 overs, as their early breakthroughs kept Ireland in the hunt throughout Bangladesh’s innings.​

Where and when did this match take place?

The match occurred on January 24, 2026, as the 16th Group A fixture in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2025-26 at a neutral venue, drawing international attention for its high quality and implications for World Cup spots.​

What are the tournament standings impact from this game?

Bangladesh Women strengthen their Group A position with this 9-run win, improving net run rate ahead of Super Sixes, while Ireland Women slip but stay in contention, as both teams now focus on upcoming matches to secure qualification for the main T20 World Cup event.

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